There is no doubt in my mind that music possesses a strong element to combat stress, and with the second half of the school year having just started for students, music is exactly what so many need. Music listening has proven to be beneficial for one’s health, as it provides stress-reducing effects. According to data from CBS News and Psych Central, 75% of people feel less stressed while listening to their favorite songs. People also reported that music has improved their productivity by 50%. Additionally, in a study of over 950 critically-ill patients, “30 minutes of music therapy a day was consistently associated with lower rates of anxiety and stress.” So, why is that? Music helps to provide positive emotions through inducing relaxation. Whether it be through listening to music, playing a musical instrument, or singing along to a song on the radio–music is an easy, cheap, and beneficial way to mitigate stress. 

As a senior in high school, I cannot fathom how demanding and draining school can be. On top of that, college applications and scholarships keep me anxious and on edge at all times. Long nights, early mornings, and free periods filled with studying and college work are what my normal school days look like. So, to subsist with the difficulties of life, my AirPods and a good playlist on Spotify are how I manage all the stress. Music has been an outlet for me, and can hopefully be an outlet for many more who seek the advantages. 

As high school students count down the days till the end of the school year, to cope with the stress of college applications, scholarships, and finals, perhaps, take a moment to turn on Spotify, and listen to that one song–or artist–you love.