SHOCKING: This can make you happier

They say happiness is entirely subjective in that what makes one person happy might not have the same effect on someone else.

Interestingly, not only is listening to sad music very common, but it has been linked with increased happiness around the world.

In a study that looked at nearly 800 people on the eastern and western hemispheres, researchers discovered that listening to sad music generated beneficial emotional effects like regulating negative emotion and mood as well as consolation.

Put simply, these findings have me baffled, and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

When I want to get in a good mood, I listen to upbeat, uplifting music. Such songs include "Happy" by Pharrell Williams, "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake, and "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves.

That sad music can make someone more merry seems counter-intuitive. Nothing depresses me more than listening to songs involving people dying or having their hearts broken. The way I see it, there's enough negativity in the world as it is. I don't need music of all things making me feel blue!

I suppose sad music can make people feel happy that they're not in the situation the singer finds themselves in. If that's the case, though, couldn't sad movies and pictures have a similar effect?

What's your take? Has a sad song ever made you happier? Do you find the study surprising?

Comments

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n...

Do you have Isolophilia? Find out...

You're probably asking yourself, "What in the world does Isolophilia mean?" It sounds like it would be something negative, doesn't it? After all, words that end in "philia" (e.g., pedophilia) tend to involve things we want nothing to do with. But Isolophilia isn't something all people deplore. In fact, introverts like me welcome it. Put simply, Isolophilia is defined as having a strong affinity for solitude. It describes a person who relishes being alone. While extroverts can only take so much solitude, we introverts find that it rejuvenates us. In order to recharge our batteries, we need to retreat to a quiet environment where we we're left alone to rest and/or gather our thoughts. Extroverts, on the other hand, become bored and drained when they're alone for a lengthy period of time. Social interaction is the fuel that drives them. So while an extrovert would probably do anything to avoid feelings of Isolophilia in most cases, an...

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually. Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker. Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar. When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca...

How To Understand People

Search This Blog