MOOD MANAGER PLAYLISTS

Listening to mood manager playlists is another effective method in managing your mental health. These are playlists that gradually change your mood to become more positive if you were feeling down or a bit negative. Mood manager playlists use the iso-principle, a music therapy technique in which you listen to music reflecting your current mood, and gradually change the mood of the music until it becomes more positive. The idea is that, as the music gradually changes, your mood will also gradually change to become more positive.

Mood manager playlists are more effective than just playing upbeat, cheerful music when you’re feeling down. This is because the way you’re currently feeling is too far from the mood of the music to the point where you just can’t relate to it. The music won’t be able to change your mood to become more positive, and may even worsen your negative emotions; however, when the music matches how you’re feeling and gradually changes, it helps your mood change as well.

To create your own mood manager playlist, start by finding music that matches your current emotions or mood. Pay attention to how you feel as you listen to the song, but be careful about staying in those negative emotions for an extended period. Next, think about what mood you want to achieve. Then, find songs that can gradually take you from where you currently are to your desired mood. If you’re trying to go from anxious to relaxed, maybe you could start with music about nervousness or stress, pick some other songs that sound calming but are about anxiety, then end with music that will help you to become fully relaxed.

Read more about mood manager playlists and how to create your own in Dr. Suzanne Hanser’s blog!