This eight minute song is a beautiful combination of
arranged harmonies, rhythms and bass lines and thus helps to slow the heart
rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress. The song features
guitar, piano and electronic samples of natural soundscapes.
A study was
conducted on 40 women, who were connected to sensors and had been given
challenging puzzles to complete against the clock in order to induce a level of
stress. Different songs were then played, to test their heart rate, blood
pressure, breathing and brain activity.
The results showed that the song
Weightless was 11 per cent more relaxing than any other song and even caused
drowsiness among women in the lab.
It induced a 65 per cent reduction in
overall anxiety and brought them to a level 35 per cent lower than their usual
resting rates.
According to Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound
Therapy, the song has been created using various scientific theories and make
use of musical principles that are known to have individually calming effects.
Hence these elements have been combined together by Marconi Union to make the
perfect relaxing song ever.
The song comprises of a sustaining rhythm that
starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually slows to around 50. Thus, while
listening to the song, your heartbeat automatically comes to match that beat.
She even adds that it is necessary for the song to be eight minutes long
because it takes about five minutes for entertainment to occur. The gaps
between the notes have been chosen to create a feeling of euphoria and comfort.
In addition, there are no repetitive melodies in the song which allows one's
brain to completely switch off since one is no longer trying to predict what is
next. The random chimes in the song help induce a deeper sense of relaxation
and the final element in the song is the low, whooshing sounds and hums, those
like the Buddhist chants.
Moreover, sound therapies have been used for
thousands of years to help people relax and improve health and well-being.
Among indigenous cultures, music has been the heart of healing and worship. The
song, weightless is ideal for unwinding and putting an end to a stressful day.
According to Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, from Mindlab International, which
conducted the research, this song induced the greatest relaxation, higher than
any other music tested till date. In accordance to the Brain imaging studies,
music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those
regions responsible for processing sound but also ones associated with
emotions. The song Weightless can make one drowsy and hence should not be heard
while driving.
Richard Talbot, from Marconi Union, was fascinated to work with
a therapist to learn how and why certain sounds affect people's mood. Though he
always knew the power of music, they had previously written songs using only
their gut feeling.
The study conducted by bubble bath and shower gel firm,
Radox Spa found the song was even more relaxing than a massage, walk or cup of
tea. According to Cassie Shuttlewood, from Radox Spa, it is understandable not
to spend hundreds of pounds on massages, spa weekends and yoga retreats to
reduce stress levels.
The top ten relaxing songs are known to be
1. Marconi
Union - Weightless
2. Airstream - Electra
3. DJ Shah - Mellomaniac (Chill Out
Mix)
4. Enya - Watermark
5. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing
6. Barcelona - Please
Don't Go
7. All Saints - Pure Shores
8. Adelev Someone Like You
9. Mozart -
Canzonetta Sull'aria
10. Cafe Del Mar - We Can Fly
Source: Telegraph UK via Conscious News Media
