2024-05-12. Music has a strong effect on us humans. In many ways. Relaxation, alertness, energy, concentration, mobility, strength, even our perception of pain can be directly improved by music. Many of these positive effects are based on general physiological principles. Nevertheless, it is important that the music suits me personally and my preferences. Here we show how you can use music regularly in everyday life using playlists. This allows the therapeutic benefits of music to be used specifically to improve the quality of life of people with chronic neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or stroke. Relaxation, mood, energy and mobility can be effectively supported by personal playlists.
How do I get to a playlist?
First, you should consider how and with which service you want to create your playlist. There are many free services such as YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer, etc. However, personal playlists are often interrupted by advertising. Or the program randomly adds new tracks. To avoid this, you can book a subscription. On the common music streaming platforms, this usually costs €10 - €13/month. With some services, you can purchase individual music tracks without the ongoing costs of a subscription. This is the case with iTunes or Amazon Music, for example. In Germany, the FreegalMusic app is available for all library users. The selection here is not so large, as only tracks that the libraries have in their range are available. You can use the service for just €12/year (general online rental fee) or with a regular library subscription at no additional cost.
Once you have chosen your platform/application, create a playlist. All common music platforms and music players have a function for this. In German it is also called a playlist. You can rename this list, for example to "Relaxation" or "Happy". From now on you can search for specific titles and sort them into a specific playlist. Sounds like a lot of work? But it's worth it! Because you can then use this list again and again when you need it most.
Playlist for relaxation
Music has an immediate calming effect. It affects the autonomic nervous system and calms the heart rate. In this way, music can also help you fall asleep. Studies show that listening to music for 30 to 40 minutes before falling asleep shortens the time it takes to fall asleep and improves sleep quality. But music can also help you find restful relaxation during the day. Regular short relaxation breaks can help you not to let stress get too bad. You stay more balanced and resilient.
Music for relaxation should be slow (around 60 to 70 bpm). The slow basic beat helps our body to reach a resting pulse. And it should be predictable, with no surprises. It is usually better to use instrumental music here. This can be easy listening, film music, new classics, classical or ambient. You should find out for yourself what music is right for you. It doesn't have to be special relaxation music. Find out what helps you to calm down. And save the tracks in your "relaxation" playlist.
Playlist for energy & better mood
Many people have phases in which they are depressed, discouraged, powerless or even sad. In many chronic illnesses (such as Parkinson's or depression), these phases are caused by the illness. But that doesn't mean that there is nothing you can do about it. Music has a reliable effect on your mood, your drive and your energy level from the very first note. It is best to listen to the music loudly. With the right music, the reward system in the brain is immediately activated. Dopamine, the happiness hormone, is released. The music modulates our so-called limbic system. This is a structure in the depths of our brain that regulates emotions. With the right music, the mood brightens, fears are reduced and the sensation of pain is reduced. This can help you sit less tensely in the chair at the dentist, for example.
To do this, you should create a "Happy" playlist. Look for songs that "pick you up". This will usually be faster music. Look for music that puts you in a positive mood. Music that gives you goosebumps. Often a certain text that you can sing along to in your head or out loud can help. Small movements such as tapping, rocking and rocking can also increase the effect.
For the "Happy" playlist, collect music that sounds positive, friendly and encouraging to you. This playlist can help you when you're not feeling well. We've put together a selection for inspiration. Try it out!
Tip: There are people who, when they are in a very depressed mood, need music that is appropriate to their mood. In this case, your playlist should start with sad, melancholy songs. After 3-5 such songs, the list should gradually become friendlier and "brighter".
Playlist Happy
Playlist for Walking
For many people with neurological or orthopedic diseases, walking is difficult, laborious or even unstable. Music can help to stabilize your movements. It improves strength and thus also your walking endurance. music-assisted walking training For this reason, it is an important therapy that is also recommended in treatment guidelines for Parkinson's and stroke, for example. Walking and music can be combined without therapeutic expertise. To do this, you first need to determine your personal step frequency.
You can easily find out your personal step count by setting a timer to 20 seconds and counting the steps you take while walking. Apps (e.g. BPM Tap Counter) can also help here. The tempo of the music in your "Walking" playlist corresponds to the desired target step frequency. This is usually faster than your measured step frequency. If you want to feel safer when walking, the music tempo should be set a little slower. Walking normally requires between 105 and 120 bpm. Depending on the belt speed, 85 - 110 bpm is suitable for treadmill training. For music-assisted Nordic walking, 85-95 bpm is useful.
The music for your “Walking” playlist should have a consistent and clearly recognizable or perceptible tempo. If you can tap along to the music very well and directly with both hands on your thighs, the rhythm is probably also suitable for walking. But be careful! Some songs change the tempo during the piece. This can quickly become difficult when walking. The following applies here: the rhythmic and compositional structure is more important than your personal preferences. If you are not sure, try it first. Music from our playlists You can then save what you like into your own “Go” playlist.