Music can be a powerful antidote to a bad mood. Simply put on your favorite track and feel the tension leave your body. Better yet, choose a track known to make you smile or dance. Use music to your advantage when you need a burst of energy — for instance, if you have housework or a project you'd like to get underway. It can also allow you to work through difficult times, such as a breakup or loss, by stirring your emotions to cry.
There are several moods that can be achieved through music. These include peace, tranquility, happiness, sadness, reminiscence, happiness and energy. These all change according to the notes, scales, tempos and instruments used in the songs.
Popular music streaming sites offer a variety of playlists to suit every need. However, you can simply spin some vinyl or listen to old movie soundtracks to add a layer of nostalgia.
Hearing someone else laugh can be an instant boost of happiness. Simple ways to listen to laughter include watching videos of your loved ones during funny events. You can also watch funny reels on social media sites. If you prefer having laughter in the background, simply choose a comedy program such as stand-up comedy or a funny sitcom to inject some laughter into your space. You don't even have to pay close attention to the skit. Your brain will already mirror the neurons when it picks up on the laughing from the audience.
However, you can also arrange an outing with friends or loved ones to the cinema or comedy club for a show. By participating in the laughter, you're also creating new memories. Some assisted living communities may have comedy artists visit the community during special events.
A cat's purring releases endorphins for cats and humans alike. If your assisted living community is pet-friendly and you're happy with the responsibility of taking care of a fur baby, get ready for a ball of floof and endorphins.
You'll know it's time to have the grandkids over when you need some fun and laughter in your space. Simply ensure that your environment is set up to accommodate the young ones and bake some cookies to tickle those olfactory receptors too.
Sometimes we need to bring the outdoors in, and the best way to do that is through nature sounds. You have plenty to choose from, such as babbling brooks, forest sounds, crickets or cicadas chirping and even the wind rustling through leaves. These sounds are available through apps, or you can simply find them on playlists through popular streaming services.
Another natural sound that stirs up emotion is rain. When there's too much of it and you want to spend time outdoors, it can feel dreary. However, those who've experienced times of drought or needed rain to water their farming endeavors often appreciate the sound of the rain. Rain tracks are popular and often form part of nature sound playlists.
There are also some nature sounds that don't necessarily appear on playlists but are known to unlock a sense of nostalgia for many. These include cows mooing in the pasture or the clanging of bells as sheep and goats are herded along. Although these might be hard to find on playlists, keep an eye out for autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) videos on farming where these background sounds are the norm.
There are few things as soothing as the sound of a fireplace crackling on a cold and misty day. Some floorplans include fireplaces in the private residential space. Many assisted living communities have fireplaces in their great rooms or reading nooks instead. These encourage some social interaction.
If a fireplace isn't part of your community's setup, you can still enjoy the rustle and crackle through streaming services. Many offer several hours' worth of fireplace sounds with accompanying videos.
Wind chimes are more than just a soothing, tinkling sound as the wind picks up. There are also wind chime artists who can tune wind chimes according to your mood needs. For instance, there are tunings for happiness, peace and meditation. Chimes are available in various sizes, and the size of the chime will affect the sounds that can be achieved.
For some, the sound of pink noise is a sure way to nod off to a good sleep. Pink noise is low-frequency sounds such as the constant din of rain on a tin roof or waves crashing on the shore. These sounds can encourage deep relaxation.
