Are you having an off day? Feeling sad, depressed, or anxious maybe?

You will be glad to know that you can chase all the blues away just by listening to your favorite music. Considered as a natural antidepressant, music can give you the euphoric high that antidepressant medications can bring. So if you are looking for a great way to end your crappy day, read on to learn more about how music can uplift your mood, fast!

Music is known to tap into various parts of the brain, that is why it is utilized by many experts in treating depressed or anxious patients. The meter, timber, rhythm and pitch of music are managed in areas of the brain that deal with emotions and mood. These key areas are the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and the parietal lobe.

Music and the Brain
The hippocampus, a structure of the limbic system, is responsible for spatial orientation, navigation and the consolidation of new memories. It also brings about emotional responses. The prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, manages extreme impulses and emotions. Known as the “seat of good judgment,” it enables one to make good and acceptable calls so that inappropriate behaviors are prevented.

As for the parietal lobe, it is in charge of spatial orientation, information processing and cognition, affects many others.

Because of its ability to alter the different parts of the brain, music has been utilized in a number of therapies. For example, it has been applied to stroke victims to teach them how to talk once again. At the same time, it is recommended to stutterers so that they can dictate words clearly once again. Since it reaches the emotion-related barriers too, music is now being utilized as a mood-altering therapy for depressed and anxious individuals.

How Music Uplifts Your Mood

Whenever you are feeling down and blue, music can get you out of the dumps – literally. Here are ways on how music can help improve your mood:

• Music can make you happy.

A lot of people turn to upbeat music whenever they feel sad or depressed, and it comes as no surprise why it is a viable solution for people feeling blue. For several years, music has made a lot of individuals happy. That’s because soothing tunes foster the release of serotonin, a hormone that fosters happiness and a general sense of well-being. It also flushes the body with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. Music also paves the way for the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that brings about euphoria and elation.

With all the hormones that flood the body with happy thoughts, you do not have to purchase expensive anti-depressant medications just to feel better.

• Music can motivate you.

Songs with positive messages, such as “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor and “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson are filled with inspirational meanings that can truly uplift your mood. The messages that are embedded in such songs – plus the euphoria that comes with singing these tunes – can motivate you to brush yourself up and try again.

Whenever you are feeling down in the dumps, listening (even singing) to “I Will Survive” at the top of your lungs can give you the strength and motivation to pick yourself up.

• Music can reduce your stresses.

Are work-related stresses making you feel sad and anxious? A great way to relieve the tensions that bring you down is to listen to music. Soothing tunes can help relax your tensed muscles, as well as pace down your breathing rate. With these physiologic changes, you can eliminate the stresses that can make you cranky and moody.

• Music can change your perception.

Even if a thing that saddens you is not present in front you, it can make you feel down for the days to come – especially if you let it get to you. But if you want to enjoy a more positive view in life, then what you need to do is listen to your favorite tunes.

A study conducted by experts from the University of Groningen shows that people enjoy a ‘happier’ perception when they listen to lively music. So if you want to drown all the depression away, crank up the radio and expect your perception to be changed – at least for the better.

• Music can modify your brain waves.

Music does not only change your present disposition, it can alter your future mood as well. Even if you turn that iPod off, the music that you just listened to can significantly change your brain waves. That means a positive mood for the hours (even days) to come.

Better Mood = Better Life

Music is a safe and cheap way to improve your mood. And with a better disposition, you can have a better life.

Proving this true is a study conducted by experts from the University of Missouri. In this research, it has been proven that music is monumental in mood improvement. With a better sense of happiness, studies show that people experience improved health, greater relationship satisfaction, enhanced behavior – even higher income.

Music to Listen to

With music’s mood-uplifting effects, you might be asking yourself, “What’s the best music to listen to?” Well then, you will be glad to know that all kinds of music can improve your mood.

In a study conducted by researchers from Penn State University, results showed that students who listened to music – almost any type of music – reported feeling more joyful, optimistic, friendly, calm and relaxed.

While most recommend soothing music such as classical masterpieces by Beethoven and Mozart, the research shows that even the loudest of songs – such as rock and grunge – can make you feel positive. Whether you are into pop, new wave, soft rock or alternative genres, you can rely on your favorite tunes to make you feel happy – even after a crappy day.

(this article came from exminedexistance.com

Here are your T School Top 100 (and counting) Happy Songs submitted by Tina, your coaches and the 1901 staff.

ENJOY

1. Underneath the sun by She’s a Keeper
2. Whenever you’re ready by James Taylor
3. Respect Yourself by the Staple Singers
4. Stand in the place that you live by REM
5. Crazy by Gnarls Barkley
6. Best day of my life by American Authors
7. Get lucky by Daft Punk
8. Counting Stars by One Republic
9. Keep You Head Up by Andy Grammer
10. Shower the People by James Taylor
11. Fun Fun Fun by Pharrell
12. Happy by  Pharrell
13. Just a cloud away by Pharrell
14. Home by Phillip Phillips
15. Sing a song by Earth Wind and Fire
16. September by Earth Wind and Fire
17. Love the one you’re with by CSNY
18. Let it Go by Idina Menzel
19. Cheerleader by Omi
20. Get together by  Jesse Colin young
21. Good vibrations by The beach boys
22. Send your love by Sting
23. Stay by Lee Dewyze
24. Get it together by Seal
25. Good day sunshine by The Beatles
26. Blessed by Brett Dennan
27. Whenever you need me by The Spinners
28. Sunshine by Matt Costa
29. I’m Wide Awake by Katy Perry
30. Everybody Ingrid Michaelson
31. Love you madly by Cake
32. This is the first day of my life by Bright eyes
33. All about that Bass by Meghan Trainor
34. Up from my life by James Taylor
35. Say hey I love you by Michael Franti and Spearhead
36. Steer by Missie Higgens
37. Carry my love Sarah Geronimo
38. Don’t stop me now by Queen
39. Roll with the changes.  REO
40. We are young by FUN
41. Hey Mama by Nicki Minaj
42. Send me on my way by Rusted Root
43. No rain by Blind Melon
44. Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
45. Worth it by Fifth Harmony
46. Invincible Kelly Clarkson
47. Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars
48. After All/David Crowder Band
49. That “I Love You” song from Phallic Williams
50. Hey  from 4-non Blonds
51. Brave by Sara Bareilles
52. I Lived by One Republic
53. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield.
54. Barbie Girl by Aqua
55. Love Shack by the B52’s
56. Ray of Light by Madonna
57. The Walk by Mayor Hawthorne
58. Locked out of Heaven by Bruno Mars
59. American Girl by Tom Petty
60. Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves
61. Kiss by Prince
62. T Shirt Weather by Circa Waves
63. It’s Time by Imagine Dragons
64. Shut up and dance by Walk the Moon
65. Cheerleader by Omi
66. Call me Al by Paul Simon
    
67. Stronger by Kelly Clarkson
68. Fight Song by Racgel Platten
69. Little Talks by Monsters and Men
70. Pump it Up by Elvis Costello
71. Timber by Pitbull and Kesha
72. Working for the Weekend by Loverboy
73. Spice up your Life by Spice Girls
74. Into the Groove by Madonna
75. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
76. You Spin me Round by Dead or Alive
77. Let’s Go Crazy by Prince
78. I’m so Excited by The Pointer Sisters
79. We are Family by Sister Sledge
80. Girls Gone Wild by Madonna
81. Girls- The 1975
82. Roller Coaster- The Bleachers
83. Not on Drugs by Tove Lo
84. Pray to God by Calvin Harris and Haim
85. Ghost by Ella Henderson
86. DNA by Empires of the Sun
87. Blue Eyes Bling by ZZ Ward
88. Can’t Feel my Face by The Weekend
89. Faith by George Michael
90. Shake it Off by Taylor Swift
91. Good Life by One Republic
92. Mika by We are Golden
93. Sunny Day by Joy Williams
94. Somewhere over the Rainbow by Eva Cassidy
95. Living in the Moment by Jason Mraz
96. Jive Talkin by the Bee Gees
97. Lovely Day by Bill Withers
98. The World is Watching by Two Door Cinema Club
99. Hot and Cold by Katy Perry
100. Roar by Katy Perry
101. ___________________????
     

     How about you?
     What makes you happy? Post your picks below…