Comfort Songs And The Healing Power of Music
Your Playlist Can Play A Role in Improving Your Mental Health
Welcome to The Playroom 🎶—where I explore the emotions, themes, and lessons hidden in the songs we love, along with cultural moments that shape the world of music.
Growing up in Queens, NYC, as a Panamanian meant that every summer, my childhood home was one of many on the block, throwing a backyard bashment. On Saturday nights, no one slept, and since this was pre-gentrification, nobody called the cops with noise complaints. We were all outside, living freely, swaying to Beres Hammond and flexing to Buju Banton, jamming until the wee hours of the morning. Then we'd do it all again the next weekend—and the weekend after that.
If you don't know what a backyard bashment is, it's a term associated with Jamaican dancehall culture that describes a lively party typically held in someone's backyard, where dancing is central to the experience because the music would be that good.
When my father died in 2009, everything changed, and those backyard bashments he hosted gradually faded away until they ceased entirely. Now, every time I open Spotify and hear songs like “I Feel Good” or "Rock Away" by Beres Hammond, I think about those warm summer nights when we danced until the sky turned a deep peach before darkness swept in. Our beds couldn't tempt us away—we just kept dancing until the sun peeked over the horizon.
Remember the songs
Used to make you rock away
Those were the days
When love used to reign, hey
We danced all night to the songs they played
Weekend come again, do it just the same, hey
– Rock Away, Beres Hammond
Reminiscing through music remains one of the ways I keep my father's memory alive. I, too, like Beres, miss those weekends when we'd gather together, letting the healing rhythms of soca, reggae, calypso, and bachata touch our souls. It wasn't just a party but a cultural immersion that took us back to our roots.
Though these days belong to the past, there's something beautiful about how a song can transform your emotional state, regardless of when it was made. Music has this remarkable ability to stir emotions, evoke memories, and bring people together. Whether it's the soundtrack of your teenage years or a song that instantly transports you to a cherished moment—like my father and our backyard bashments—music's power reaches far beyond mere entertainment. It serves as a source of healing, nostalgia, and connection, offering a sanctuary for both mind and soul.
Let’s dive into how music influences our mental health, fosters community, and even shapes our neurological responses.
Nostalgia: The Emotional Power of Old Songs
My friends and I love karaoke sessions, and when we gather together, everyone knows that my best friend and I will sing "The Boy Is Mine" by Monica & Brandy because what other timeless duet still hits this hard all these years later?
Whenever we sing it, it brings me back to when I was a kid, pretending to be Brandy while she pretended to be Monica, playfully bickering over an imaginary boy who wasn't worth the fight. It also makes me miss the '90s and all the things from my childhood: coming home from school eagerly waiting for an episode of Moesha to come on, waiting for the weekend so I could play Super Mario on my Nintendo, and having to blow into the cartridges whenever they malfunctioned, building up my Beanie Babies collection, and remembering to feed my Neopet—making me feel like a responsible child who knew how to take care of things outside of myself. Those were the days!
Much like rewatching old TV shows, listening to familiar songs taps into the psychological phenomenon of nostalgia. Nostalgia is more than a longing for the past—it’s a powerful emotional state that offers several mental health benefits:
Boosting mood: Nostalgic songs often evoke positive memories, reminding us of meaningful moments and people in our lives. Studies have shown that revisiting these memories can increase feelings of happiness and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Stimulating the brain: Familiar music activates the brain's reward system, lighting up areas associated with pleasure and memory. This explains why hearing the opening chords of a favorite song can feel so euphoric.
Providing comfort: Nostalgia serves as an emotional anchor during turbulent times. Revisiting songs from a safer or happier time can offer a sense of stability and grounding.
However, nostalgia isn’t always cheerful. Comfort songs can also elicit heavier emotions like grief or sadness, reminding us of what we’ve lost. These moments, while difficult, are part of the healing process. Allowing ourselves to feel the weight of these emotions through music can help us process and release them, ultimately fostering emotional resilience.
What song or piece of music brings up joyful or difficult emotions for you, and how have those moments of musical reflection helped you process past experiences or losses?
Music as Medicine: Mental Health Benefits
Listening to music is more than just a passive activity—it’s a therapeutic tool that can significantly enhance mental health. Research shows that music can:
Reduce stress: Music, especially classical or calming genres, can lower cortisol levels, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
Improve mood: Upbeat tunes trigger the release of dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” neurotransmitter, which elevates mood and motivation.
Enhance focus: Certain types of music, particularly instrumental or lo-fi beats, can improve concentration and productivity.
Aid in emotional expression: Music therapy is often used to help individuals process complex emotions, particularly during grief or trauma.
The universality of music lies in its ability to resonate with our emotional states, offering a means to cope, celebrate, or simply reflect.
What’s your go-to song when you need a mood booster?
Music, Connection, and Community
Beyond its personal impact, music has a profound way of connecting us to others. Shared musical experiences—whether at a concert, a backyard bashment, or even a karaoke night—foster a sense of belonging and community. There’s a reason DJs remain cultural icons: they curate soundtracks that unite us on dance floors, turning individual listeners into a collective, harmonious group.
When the beat drops, music sparks a collective movement. Venues like Miss Lily's and The Record Room in NYC showcase music's communal power through their diverse soundtracks and welcoming atmospheres. Consider how Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour created a cultural movement—she encouraged personal expression through silver attire while fostering unity and collectiveness. This beautifully demonstrates how music transforms culture and builds community.
Whether at a concert or lounge, these spaces offer more than just beats—they're where people unite to share joy, movement, and human connection. Even as the party scene changes, music remains the thread that binds us together.
Music also creates powerful bonds across generations through shared songs and traditions passed down between family and friends. Watch what happens when "The Electric Slide" plays at a BBQ—people of all ages will form a line, dancing and singing together in perfect harmony. It's no wonder that groups like The Supremes, The Isley Brothers, and Earth, Wind & Fire, or artists like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding continue to have millions of monthly listeners on Spotify. Their timeless music still captivates audiences across generations. Music will have you drifting on a memory, and when we share these cherished classics with younger generations, we pass down memories, traditions, and culture.
The Neuroscience of Music
On a neurological level, music engages multiple parts of the brain, including those responsible for memory, emotion, and even motor control. Studies have shown that music:
Activates the hippocampus, which processes memories, making it a powerful trigger for past experiences.
Stimulates the amygdala, the brain's emotional processing center, enhancing our ability to feel and process emotions.
Releases oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," during shared musical experiences, deepening feelings of connection, bonding, and trust.
The combination of these effects explains why music is such a potent tool for healing and community building. It speaks to our deepest emotional needs while fostering relationships that enrich our lives.
How to Harness the Healing Power of Music
You don’t need an elaborate setup to benefit from music’s therapeutic properties. Here are some simple ways to incorporate music into your wellness routine:
Create a personalized playlist: Curate a mix of nostalgic tracks and uplifting tunes that bring you joy.
Explore new genres: Expanding your musical tastes can introduce you to fresh perspectives and new sources of comfort.
Engage in group experiences: Attend a live show, join a singing group, or host a karaoke party to deepen your connection with others through music.
Practice mindful listening: Spend time fully immersed in a song, paying attention to its lyrics, rhythms, and emotions.
The Takeaway: Music As A Tool For Healing
Music can be a form of respite during tough times, spark joy in the mundane, and bring people together to build connection and intimacy. It reminds us of our shared humanity, whether we're listening to nostalgic tracks, discovering new sounds, or dancing in a crowd. So, press play on your favorite song and let its healing power guide you—because sometimes, all we need is a melody to feel whole again.
Share What’s on Your Mind
What themes from this piece resonated with you? Leave a comment and stay tuned for Friday’s email: Reflect & Release!