MOZART OR ROCK – WHICH MUSIC TO CHOOSE AGAINST THE STRESS?

In today’s fast-paced world, students often find themselves dealing with stress from academic pressures and daily life challenges. To promote a better learning atmosphere, better mental and physical health among the students and the overall well-being, it’s essential to emphasize the positive impact the physical activity and music have on dealing with the stress and their contribution for better concentration.

Nowadays, most of the students are always rushing for something or somewhere and having too many responsibilities. It’s very important to find a way to overcome this and focus on the positive aspects of life. The choice of the students which music they will listen is multifaceted and can vary widely from person to person.

In addition to music, regular physical exercise act as a powerful stress release. Students who include physical exercise and music in their lives can deal with stress and create a more productive and more concentrated learning environment.

Psychologist Jordanka Cherepnalkovska-Trajkoska emphasized that stress is an emotion. Emotion is energy. Stress is accumulated energy, so music and sports activities help release it.

“Stress is an emotion, emotion is energy. And if I say that stress is accumulated energy, playing sports or some physical activity can be of great help to release that energy and free up space for other processes, whether for thinking, creating, learning whatever the activity. So that everyone can practice different physical activities, which they like, some walking, some running, exercise, boxing, kickboxing” says Cherepnalkovska-Trajkovska.

About music, she says that it has a motivating effect, but it also has a great impact on reducing stress and relaxing. Her recommendation is that everyone should individually decide when and what kind of music they will listen to, but instrumental, soothing music is most suitable for learning.

“I believe every single student copes with stress by listening to music. The melody of a song communicates with a part of our brain responsible for emotions and can stimulate the hormone of happiness and relax the body. Music is very effective in stressful situations because it facilitates the movement of both the mind and the body”, she says. Here are some of the ways that the psychologist recommends to the students to use when dealing with stressful situations:

The Importance of Physical Activity

It is recommended to engage in sports activities throughout the day. Physical activity is vital because it promotes the well-being of the whole body, connecting the physical and physiological aspects. Stress, an emotion, generates accumulated energy.

Sports activities help release this energy, offering a way to combat stress. Whether it’s running, walking, exercising, or other disciplines, the key is to avoid sitting in the same place for too long. It’s advisable to stand up and engage in physical movement every 45 minutes to relax the brain and muscles.

The Role of Music in Stress Reduction

Music is a universal tool for reducing stress. Listening to music can stimulate the release of happiness-inducing hormones and relax the body. The melody of a song directly interacts with the brain’s emotional centers, facilitating a connection between mind and body.

When and What Music to Listen to for Stress Reduction

The choice of when and what type of music to listen to depends on individual preferences and when stress is most prominent. Slow and relaxing music is commonly chosen during stressful situations. However, some students find fast and energetic tunes helpful, particularly when studying or engaging in activities that require concentration.

Music for Better Concentration

To enhance concentration, students should opt for music with calming elements and a rhythm that aids in focusing on the task at hand. The goal is to select music that soothes rather than distracts.

Strategies for Coping with Stress and better focus

Students can create a daily schedule about their obligations, but if that plan fails, instead of panicking, they need to revise the schedule and the plan. This will help them better focus their thoughts and actions in different situations, promoting focus and productivity. Additionally, techniques like SWOT analysis can help identify strengths and weaknesses and can help focusing to improve their qualities.

Dealing with Negative Consequences

When it comes to emotions, music is generally regarded as a positive influence, aiding in coping with stress. It’s less likely to have negative consequences. In sports activities, it’s crucial to maintain a balance and avoid overexertion or improper techniques. Students should follow best practices, listen to their bodies, and seek guidance when needed to prevent potential negative effects.

Psychologist Trajkoska highlights the societal importance of these techniques. They provide a comprehensive answer to the problems that the students experience.

We interviewed several students at universities in North Macedonia and Albania. We asked them what kind of music they listen to and what kind of music helps them to study more effectively when they are in a stressful period.

One of the students, Saranda Mehmedi said “I prefer to listen to classical music when I am stressed. Also, I like to meditate to release stress”, while student Monika Aksentievska said that she prefers to relax to rock music stating Coldplay and Arctic Monkeys as her favorite choices. We got a variety of answers from Mozart’s compositions to the trap genre that is currently the most popular among young people. We concluded that young people in Macedonia use the Spotify application which offers discounted premium subscriptions for eligible students, including benefits like ad-free listening, offline downloads, and more. Our survey showed that most of them are active subscribers, and they use student discounts.

To wrap it up, remember that physical activities and listening to music can help you feel better when you’re stressed. So, if you’re a student dealing with stress, try moving around more and listening to music that makes you happy – it can help you improve your mood and make you more productive in learning.

Authors:

Aleksandra Bogeska

Anisa Luli

Valerija Taneva

Markelian Hysa