Top songs for students to destress to
by Krysti Shore, staff writer
During this period of extreme boredom, everyone has been trying to find ways of staying entertained. What better way to entertain the ears, mind and soul than with music? Even though so much uncertainty continues to go on throughout this year, music continues to lift our spirits. Being in isolation, Maria Carrillo High School students have been listening to all sorts of different music, and almost every student claimed music to be a positive outlet, helping one cope as well as an escape from reality.
There is much more to music than just beats put together with catchy lyrics to go along with it. It conveys a story to its listeners. Songs take us out of the element or state of mind we are in and transport us to another realm. Music not only makes us feel something, whether it’s comfort, rage, exuberance, or even darkness and despair, but it helps us relate with and understand one another. Senior Olivia Anderson claims to love Sun Room, by Sol Del Sur, and says, “I listen to the song and album almost every day because it reminds me of summer and having good times with friends, which are two things that were robbed from us in this pandemic!” I agree and definitely recommend the album if you enjoy listening to summery music with all-around elements of good vibes. That’s another great thing about music. It can bring us back to better days.
According to a survey we conducted of the music preferences of MCHS students, the majority of those surveyed claimed to be listening to rap and pop the most lately, but surprisingly rock continues to hold a strong fan base among students and was third runner up by only three votes. Students have a much more diverse taste in songs than I imagined and out of the fifty four students surveyed, hardly anyone shared the same favorite song. Just a few of these songs include “Motive,” by Ariana Grande, “Always,” by Bon Jovi, “Wolves,” by Big Sean ft. Post Malone, “Santa Monica,” by Everclear, “NIGHTTIME(Interlude),” by Russ, “Caitlyn,” by Jank, “Homecoming,” by Kanye West, “A.M,” by Beach Goons, “Sofia,” by Clairo, and so on. Some of students' current favorite albums consist of Positions, by Ariana Grande, The Goat, by Polo G, Joy Division, by Unknown Pleasures, Nothing Happens by the Wallows, After Hours, by The Weeknd, Born Sinner, by J. Cole, and Honeymoon by Beach Bunny.
Senior Yael Bernal says, “I love the album Savage Mode II and I haven’t been able to turn it off lately! It just makes me want to do something scandalous and I feel like a savage when listening to it.”
Shockingly, 21.9 percent of students claimed to be listening to older music while 9.4 percent of students claimed to be listening to newer music. 21.9 percent claimed music to be essential in their life while only 1.3 percent of students claimed they could live without it. Personally, as someone who struggles with anxiety, I find music impacts me immensely because it is a positive outlet of relaxation and has a way of removing all the worries from my mind.
In many ways, music is therapeutic, and every teen should incorporate it into their lives.
As a teen, sometimes life can become hard and stress becomes consuming. According to a recent study done by Dr. David Lewis-Hodgson of Mindlab, there are plenty of different types of songs that, when listened to, can help decrease the brain's anxiety levels dramatically. The study involved volunteers solving puzzles specifically designed to induce higher levels of stress while doctors played a variety of different songs in the background at a moderate level. Interestingly enough, one specific track helped lower the subjects’ anxiety levels by 65 percent resulting in a 35 percent reduction of their normal psychological resting state. This magic track was titled “Weightless,” by Macaroni Union. Each year the rate of anxiety and depression diagnosed within children and teens increases. The truth is mental health is a global issue that has gone on for many years and is just now beginning to gain more awareness the more rates increase. The pandemic has even been associated with increases in mental health challenges in the U.S, according to 2019 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report survey statistics.
Last year I struggled with having numerous panic attacks, and during this time, music was my savior. When I wasn’t able to breathe, I would put on my headphones and listen to artists like Billie Eilish, and all my anxiety would just melt away. I know of so many other students who deal with stress and anxiety on a daily basis, and I’m here to tell you if you struggle with such issues, I highly recommend you give music a try.
”Without music, I don’t know what I would do,” said senior Drew Koop. “To me, it is healing, and music is something everyone can feel touched by. I mostly listen to songs I can relate to because it helps me realize I’m not alone.
In many ways, music is therapeutic, and every teen should incorporate it into their lives. If you ever find yourself anxiety-ridden, try listening to some calming tunes. That music is proven to decrease stress and anxiety in humans and animals is a scientific fact.