Imagine a young girl crying herself to sleep for about a month with ice cream in her hand and breakup songs in the background- sound familiar?
Pop culture and rom coms have led us to believe that sad music provides solace after a heartbreak. Be it Bunny and Naina from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani or Meredith and Derek from Grey’s Anatomy. But did you know that there is scientific evidence to support this?
Music evokes sadness and provides consolation to us. It’s like having a friend who says the perfect things and understands you completely. Music is one thing that runs common among all of humanity and despite the hundred different genres out there, each one somehow reaches out to our emotions. Listening to music releases a range of neurotransmitters such as dopamine which plays an important role in the regulation of hormones. Sad music could act as a cognitive reward for our brains thus making us feel better and empathized with.
Despite the solace sad music provides, it’s important to note that getting lost in it is quite easy as well. Rumination is good in terms of remembrance but it isn’t very effective when it comes to moving on. It’s like adding salt to a wound. It’s important to make a mental note of the positives of a breakup even though it might seem like there aren’t any.
Since we’re talking about a breakup, here are a few songs (both upbeat and slow) that may be helpful!
Someone Like You - Adele
When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars
It Must Have Been Love - Roxette
Let Her Go - Passenger
Stay With Me - Sam Smith
We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Taylor Swift
Thank you, Next - Ariana Grande
Love Yourself - Justin Beiber
Should Out to My Ex - Little Mix
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
Remember, breakups are closely related to grief. Just like grief heals over time, so does heartbreak!