Relaxing music: 8 ideas to explore 

It’s no secret that music is a rich vector of emotions. So is relaxing music. It accompanies us through the good times and the bad. So why not use relaxing music as a wellness tool? In this article, you’ll find several suggestions to restore calm and serenity to your everyday life, thanks to relaxing music!

First and foremost, the impact of music on our well-being has been studied by numerous scientists and is no longer up for debate. Studies recognize the effects of music on both our psychological and physiological health. The book The neurochemistry of music, directed by Professor Daniel J. Levitin of McGill University’s psychology department, is in line with this affirmation. This analysis of 400 articles on the subject explains that “the practice and listening of music have clear beneficial effects on mental and physical health. Music improves immune system function and reduces stress levels.”¹ It also concludes that listening to and playing music reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. Fascinating, isn’t it? Now there’s no longer any reason to deprive yourself from music!

Depending on your personal preferences, there are many styles of music that can help you relax. But maybe you’ve run out of ideas once you’ve gone too many times through your favorite albums. That’s why Le Monastère des Augustines would like to suggest eight types of music that can inspire you and have a relaxing effect on you. 

Streaming music platforms abound with relaxing music from artists both from home and abroad. All you must do is to take the time to explore them and allow them to be a part of your moments of tranquility. Whether you’re meditating, on the move or taking a break at work, any time of the day is good to recharge your batteries. What’s important is that it suits your personal routine and your specific needs. 

It’s surprising to learn that neoclassicism is in vogue today, given it has its roots in the period following the First World War. You can recognize this relaxing musical type by its simple, slow and melodious tunes.  The instrument of choice for this type of music is the piano. Listening to neoclassical music bathes you in a soothing atmosphere. Ideal for creating a unique present moment. Carpe diem!

The handpan is a melodious percussion instrument created in Switzerland in the early 2000s. Its shape resembles a flying saucer. It is played with hands and fingers. Watch out, because you’ll quickly become captivated by its hypnotic resonance! Once you hear a handpan for the first time, you often adopt it.

While listening to this kind of music, it’ll feel like you’re in your favorite Nordic spa. A little more and the scent of your favorite essential oil will reach your nose! Meditation music can take many forms. It creates a peaceful atmosphere and transports us into a state that encourages interiorization. Here’s an idea: you can even use it as an anchor during meditation, to focus your attention on something other than your breath, a way to actively listen to what’s happening internally. 

A mantra is a word or series of words that you repeat. A mantra can be based on an intention, a desired feeling or a reassuring expression that we wish to anchor within ourselves. It is used in many spiritual and religious traditions.  

The word mantra comes from Sanskrit, an ancient language still used today for reading sacred texts and hymns. The word could be translated as “instrument of thought or spirit”, demonstrating its beneficial potential.  

There’s something profound about listening to or singing the melody of a mantra. It can lead to a state of flow and well-being or calm the mind in stressful situations.

Gregorian chant is a cappella music consisting of a single melody, sung by an unaccompanied group. It dates back to the Middle Ages and was transmitted from generation to generation for centuries before musical notation systems were developed. It is liturgical music, in the sense that it accompanies the prayers and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church. It is sung in Latin.

Here’s a simple idea! Looking for a quiet atmosphere to read, study or concentrate on? Forget the ambient noise of the café you’re in. Grab your headphones and find a nature sound you like online. Here are some ideas for nature sounds that are great to listen to in a loop:

Sometimes, nature sounds can be accompanied by soft music. The relaxing effect is almost instantaneous!

The sound of certain instruments soothes us without us really knowing why. Welcoming the vibrations of intuitive instruments, particularly in the context of meditative concerts or sound baths, can provide a great sense of well-being. These kinds of musical moments regularly take place in the 300-year-old vaults at Le Monastère des Augustines, where you can experience serenity through music. Take part in one of our cultural and wellness activities and discover this unique heritage site. 

Whether it’s a mix of musical genres or is specific to a culture or a country, world music lets your mind escape without having the need to travel. All you must do is close your eyes and let yourself be transported into a different universe.

Have you ever thought of using your listening skills by paying attention to silence? It’s true that silence can arouse all kinds of emotions in you. It can calm you after too much sensory stimulation, make you anxious when you dread being alone, or stimulate your creativity. But in all cases, it’s a precious resource for connecting with yourself.

Silence can be experienced in many places. Whether you’re in a forest, a nearby sanctuary, a sensory isolation space such as a sensory deprivation tank, or a place that’s symbolic to you, taking a moment of silence can help you unwind. Of course, there’s no such thing as complete silence, but why not combine a moment of silence with a mindfulness meditation approach? You can then consciously choose to accept ambient sounds as they are, as a gentle reminder to be in the present moment. In this way, you’ll emerge from your period of silence much more soothed than if you had given too much importance to sound distractions.

At Le Monastère des Augustines, although silence is not obligatory, there are many places and opportunities to experience it. Whether during a silent breakfast at Le Vivoir, during a moment in the Augustinian Sisters’ chapel or even in your room, silence can soothe you and nourish your spirit. 

And if it’s very difficult for you to find a quiet place, why not get some noise-cancelling headphones? For some people, wearing these types of headphones without adding music promotes a state of concentration and gives them the impression of being in their own bubble. 

Relaxing music, so as silence, is a pleasant and accessible way to recharge your batteries or, at least, to calm down. Now it’s up to you to create melodious moments and a peaceful atmosphere. Don’t hesitate to try different types of music in several places that are dear to you. You will be surprised to find out how much the environment around you can impact the way you listen to music!

[1] MCGILL UNIVERSITY,  «Major health benefits of music uncovered», 2013, https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels/news/major-health-benefits-music-uncovered-225589 (As read on August 16, 2024)