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We know music is more than just background noise – it’s a powerful, proven mood booster. It activates the parts of the brain linked to emotions, memory, and mood, helping to reduce stress and calm your mind. Whether you’re looking to lift your energy or find a moment of peace, hit play, and in under three minutes, you’ll start to see the difference.
Our ‘music for mental fitness’ series is thoughtfully curated by members of our community, featuring soundtracks that have helped them navigate their own ups and downs. Each playlist is designed with specific emotional experiences in mind, offering a soundtrack that aims to uplift, soothe, and build your mental fitness, one track at a time.
Georgia's playlist: A New Chapter
Moving? It’s an adventure, no doubt – full of excitement, but also mixed with a bit of nostalgia and maybe a touch of uncertainty. You’re diving into something quite new while still holding on to the familiar.
Georgia, one of our inspiring Gym members, knows this feeling all too well. She made the big leap from London to Sydney – a move she had been dreaming about for ages. Here playlist reflects that emotional mix: the thrill of starting fresh while still embracing those memories and moments that made leaving so hard.
What Georgia had to say:
Here are three standout tracks from Georgia's playlist:
Like the Old Days - Barry Can't Swim
“This song is so nostalgic to me – so many amazing memories and represents my time with everyone I love!”
7 Summers - Morgan Wallen
“I HAD to have some country in here, and this song is all about chasing summer (aka moving to Aus).”
Dive - Olivia Dean
“Olivia is just a dream and this song is all about diving into new adventures and taking risks.”
Listen to Georgia’s “A New Chapter” playlist on Spotify.
The science behind the sounds
Music can influence mood and emotions, enhance the way our brain works, and promote a sense of connection with others and ourselves. Studies have shown that music can:
- Encourage emotional processing: Music often acts as a mirror for our emotions, giving us a safe space to process and express feelings that might otherwise feel overwhelming.1
- Reduce stress and anxiety: Listening to calming music has been found to lower cortisol levels, helping to alleviate stress and promote relaxation2.
- Boost motivation: Upbeat tracks can enhance physical performance and mental drive during workouts or challenging tasks, helping you to stay focused and energised3.
1 Hallam, S. (2010). The power of music: Its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people. International Journal of Music Education, 28(3), 269-289. https://doi.org/10.1177/0255761410370658
2 Koelsch, S. (2014). Brain correlates of music-evoked emotions. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 15(3), 170-180. https://doi.org/10/1038/nrn3666
3 Juslin, P. N., & Sloboada, J. A. (Eds.). (2010). Handbook of Music and Emotion: Theory, Research, Applications. Oxford University Press.
