12/10/2025
Music Habits That Support Mental Health (Part 1 of 5) As we lead up to the holidays, I’d l ike to share a 5-part series for caregivers, clinicians, professionals, parents, and anyone navigating an emotionally complex season.
The holidays can bring a mix of joy, nostalgia, stress, grief, noise, and overwhelm — sometimes all at once.
Here is the first Music Habit you can use to support your mental health: 🎧Part 1/5: The 3-Song Reset:
A short playlist you can use to regulate your mood when you need it most.
1️⃣ Start with a matching song Begin with something familiar that meets you exactly where you are. If your mood is high stress, your matching song might have a quicker tempo or lyrics that acknowledge tension or overwhelm. This step works because the nervous system responds best when it feels “seen” rather than pushed to feel differently.
2️⃣ Move into a transition song Shift into something gently uplifting, moderate tempo, steady rhythm, hopeful tone. This song acts as a bridge between your current state and the one you want to reach.
3️⃣ End with an energizing or calm track Finally, choose a song that brings a sense of grounding, calmness, or renewed energy - depending on the mood you are hoping to achieve. This helps the body move into a regulated state, supporting focus, emotional balance, and a feeling of being “reset.”
Three songs — about 10–12 minutes — is often enough time for the body to adjust breathing, heart rate, and cognitive focus. And most importantly: choose songs you genuinely love and enjoy. Your emotional connection to the music is what makes this practice effective!
What three songs help you move from tense → calm?! I’d love to hear your favourites below!
