Using Music and Sound For Journaling, (Or For Anything Else)

I do a monthly series on music. Specifically, music for journaling, but can be used for anything that helps focus and mood. I'm a big believer in hacking the mind for productivity and wellness, and music can aid this.

Using Music and Sound For Journaling, (Or For Anything Else)
Photo by Providence Doucet / Unsplash

Hello Fellow Journalers!🖊️📖

If you've been keeping up with Why We Journal, you may have noticed  I do a monthly series on music. Specifically, music for journaling, but can be used for anything that helps focus and mood. I'm a big believer in hacking the mind for productivity and wellness, and music can aid this.

I've done the "How To Journal" and "7 Ways Use Visual Prompts". It's (finally) time to learn how to use music for journaling, or literally anything else in your life.

What Can Music Even Do?

Music Can

Help Focus

Help Mood

Improve Cognitive Function

Be A Reward

Science! AKA, Research Says...

When it comes to focus, music has been shown to aid concentration. One study proved that your preferred music boosts your cognitive performance, when observed on puzzle solving abilities. (1) Also, your preferred music can help sustain your attention when it comes to lower demanding tasks. This means less mind-wandering and more focus on the project at hand. (2)

Cognitive function can also have a boost with music, but it depends on the type. When it comes to ambient noise, lower levels are helpful, but higher level ambient noises tend to impair and negatively impact focus.(3)

Music has been proven to improve mood and enhance mindfulness and emotions. Music can also aid in emotional regulation, by experiencing a cathartic effect with negative emotions. (4,5) Studies have also proven music as an effective intervention for stress reduction and mood management. (6, 7)

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psst! I made a whole post on music and journaling benefits that you can read HERE.

How To Use Music For Journaling (or writing, studying, or anything else in your life)

  1. Use music to direct the mood you need. Are you looking for calm, something with energy, and emotional overture, or just something in the background to work to? Be purposeful with your music choices. Choose music you like, as research supports your preferred music is what improves your focus and concentration.
  2. Use music to practice mindfulness and emotional regulation. Have a bad day? Maybe an anniversary of a not so fun memory? Select music to work through the catharsis of emotions and expel energy that holds you back.
  3. Use music to take a break and give yourself a reward. Sometimes our favorite music or musical artist deserves our full attention and not placed in the background for our foreground task. Use delayed gratification and get your checklist done, and jam to your favorite tunes.

Check out Why We Journal Music Posts and Playlists as a place to get started for your background music journaling jam. My favorite is lo-fi but check out the playlist on Youtube!

3 Rain Sounds For Your Journaling
This month’s audio-centered post is on rain. Do you love the sound of it? Maybe just hearing it reminds you of the smell of it? Does it make you wanna dance?
3 Bossa Nova Music Channels for Journaling
This month’s music post for background journaling (or vacation daydreaming) is Bossa Nova!
3 Piano-centric YouTube Channels For Journaling
This month’s music for journaling post is centered on piano-style tunes.
3 Ukulele Tracks For Journaling Tropical Dreams
Welcome to this month’s music round up for your background journaling music needs! For this post, we will focus on Ukulele music.

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That's all for this post!

-A Very Enthusiastic Journaler

Citations

  1. Kheradmand, D. (2022). Music Enhances Focus and Concentration. Digital Scholarship @UNLVhttps://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1174&context=durep_posters
  2. Rahm, B., & Rinne, T. (2021). The effect of preferred background music on task-focus in sustained attention. PloS One16(10), e0258210.
  3. Storzer, J., & Müller, S. (2012). The effects of ambient noise on cognitive performance. Psychological Research76(3), 324-333.
  4. Husain, M., & Thompson, W. F. (2003). The effect of music listening on mood and physiological responses in healthy adults. Journal of Music Therapy40(1), 11-22.
  5. Kowalczyk, A., & Podgórska, A. (2021). Music as a tool for mood regulation: The role of absorption vs. mindfulness. Psychology of Music49(1), 105-123.
  6. Davis, J. M., Thaut, M. H., & Gardiner, M. F. (2001). The impact of music on mood and stress reduction in healthy adults. Journal of Music Therapy38(2), 114-132.
  7. Maratos, A., Crawford, M. J., & Krumhansl, C. L. (2009). Music therapy for mood disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review29(6), 599-616.