Why Spa Music Feels So Relaxing (According To Science)

Spa music helps us to relax, unwind, and decompress from the stresses of everyday life.

It gives us the overall sense of calm and helps us to enjoy a massage or facial or just taking a break.

So why does spa music feel so relaxing compared to other music? In fact, there is a scientific explanation.

Specifically, music triggers a variety of chemical reactions in our brains. From reducing stress hormones to boosting feelings of happiness, relaxing music can help us reduce the negative effects of stress, pain, and anxiety.

Here are the three main reasons why spa music feels relaxing:

1. Spa music creates a chemical reaction in our brains. It reduces the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases the level of dopamine (the pleasure hormone).

2. Slower tempo spa music stimulates the alpha brain wave. It makes us feel relaxed yet conscious.

3. Comforting spa music acts as a natural pain killer and changes how we perceive the pain and discomfort that prevents us from relaxing.

Listen to some examples of relaxing spa music below or scroll down for more scientific details and references.

1. Spa music reduces the level of cortisol, the stress hormone

Stress is the number one reason we can’t relax. How can you relax and enjoy life when there is a knot in your stomach?

According to the research published in the National Library of Medicine, relaxing music can help reduce cortisol levels, also known as stress hormone, in our body.

The authors of the research have successfully demonstrated that music helped to reduce stress in patients before serious medical procedures like surgery.

Do you need to relax before an important exam, job interview, or stressful conversation?

People with demanding jobs, responsibilities, or anyone susceptible to stress should try managing anxiety with a daily dose of relaxing spa music.

Related: Reduce Stress Through Meditation, Yoga, Or Other Relaxation Techniques

But that’s not all!

Listening to relaxing spa music can actually make you feel happier.

According to Nature Neuroscience, a team of Montreal researchers demonstrated that music acts as “the potent pleasurable stimulus”.

This means that listening to the music that comforts you can trigger hormones that translate into feeling of happiness and good mood.

2. Spa music stimulates alpha brain waves

A research conducted in University of Nevada shown that slower music affects our brain waves, slowing them down to match the rhythm of the music.

The music around 60 beats per minute stimulates the alpha brainwaves (8 – 14 Hz frequencies) making us feel relaxed and conscious.

The slower music can effectively induce sleep and put the brain into a tranquil meditative state.

Whether you’re a music lover or not, there is proof that music affects our overall state of mind. While upbeat music may give us energy during exercising or dancing, slow tempo spa music helps us relax.

3. Spa music acts as a natural pain killer

Since spa music helps to soothe and relax people, it is not uncommon nowadays to hear it in operating rooms and during the postoperative period for patients.

Not only does this type of music calm people, but it also helps to reduce pain and tension, leading to more comfort during medical procedures.

According to research conducted by the University of California, San Diego, listening to the music we enjoy releases endorphins, which are natural painkillers.

The pain reducing effects of spa music is largely due to its capability to interfere with the perception of pain by evoking the feeling of pleasure.

How spa an wellness center operators can benefit from the science behind spa music

Spa owners who choose to play relaxing spa music to their clients (as opposed to no music at all) are likely to find their customers have a better, stress-free wellness experience.

Even in the reception area, the comfort of the spa music can prolong guests’ positive experience and make them more inclined to browse and purchase additional products, or to book another visit.

Spa owners can provide a lasting impression on guests as they continue to feel at ease while they pay for their services, and relaxation continues to sweep over them, thanks to ambient spa music.

Related: How To Legally Stream Spa Music In Your Business

Takeaway

Music is capable of evoking positive emotions, and of elevating the mood of individuals.

Spa music helps us relax faster and offers multiple, scientifically proven benefits that affect our brain and body in many (good) ways.

From reducing stress hormones to boosting the feeling of happiness, relaxing spa music can help our body to fight the negative effects of stress, pain, and anxiety.

Relax and live better!

You can also find a wide selection of spa music available for download in our relaxing music and sounds download shop.

Do you need to play spa music in your place of business?

You can stream unlimited spa music with full commercial license (no additional licensing required).

Do you have questions about spa music?

Ask in the comments, we’ll be happy to help! Post a comment