🎵 Music as Medicine: Why Your Favorite Playlist Might Be the Stress Relief Tool You’ve Been Overlooking

Have you ever instinctively turned on music after a hard day? Or found yourself reaching for your favorite playlist when you feel overwhelmed?

You're not alone — and there's science behind that impulse.

A study published in Brain Sciences found that listening to music you love for just 10 minutes can help lower levels of cortisol, the hormone linked to stress and overwhelm. That’s right — music doesn’t just make you feel better. It actually helps your brain and body regulate. In fact, your nervous system knows what it’s doing.

🎶 The Starbucks Commercial That Got It Right

I’m reminded of an old Starbucks commercial called HANK. In it, a man walks through his day with a soulful entourage following him around, cheering him on. At the end, the ad delivers a powerful punchline:

“For those who don’t have your own personal cheerleading squad, there’s Starbucks.”

It's funny — but also deeply true. Whether it’s coffee or a carefully crafted playlist, we instinctively seek out uplifting cues. Rhythm. Resonance. Emotional energy. We look for something to help us feel seen, supported, and stronger.

And these aren’t random, unconscious habits. They’re self-regulation strategies.

🧠 Music Therapy and the Whole-Brain Approach to Healing

That’s why Music Therapy is one of the six evidence-based practices included in RESET for Wellness, my nationally-approved continuing education training which uses my unique RESET Method. Expressive, whole-brain approaches activate experiential learning — which research has shown leads to deeper, more lasting impact.

Music engages not just the emotional centers of the brain, but also memory, motor skills, and even areas involved in language and cognition. When we listen to music we love, we’re not just feeling better — we’re creating pathways for more integrated healing.

🎧 Let Music Be Your Everyday Medicine

In a world that often prioritizes productivity over emotional well-being, we need reminders that healing can be simple, accessible, and even joyful. Music is a powerful, under-utilized tool for stress relief, emotional regulation, and resilience.

So today, let your favorite song be your personal cheer squad. You've earned it.

Want to learn more about the healing power of music and other integrative tools? Explore my training, RESET for Wellness, designed for leaders and professionals who want to bring research-based, experiential healing and skill-building into their work with clients and communities.

Want to see the video I mentioned? Here's the Hank commercial.