Why Music Sounds Different Depending on your Mood?
Have you ever noticed that your mood has a huge impact on how you perceive the stimuli around you? If you’re sad maybe you remember the sky looking darker than it actually was, or perhaps a sound takes on an entirely different meaning? Similarly, when your happy things seem brighter (metaphorically). When you’re happy even not so happy things don’t bother you as much, but If you’re upset even small things can ruin your day. Your emotional state can quite literally shape and completely alter your perception of the world.
One way to help understand why this occurs is to understand that we gather information through one of our five senses. All of that information you gather through your senses travels to one central location, your brain, where it is processed. So, if you have a preexisting emotional state it only makes sense that the stimuli you are processing will be impacted by this pre-existing emotion.
With this understanding, you can start to grasp exactly why music sounds different based on your mood. Most people listen to music that matches their mood, we discussed in a previous blog about how people (particularly sad individuals) used music (in conjunction with their emotions) – either to heighten, maintain, or subdue it. The heart and mind are far more powerful than many of us give them credit for. By controlling your emotional state, you can greatly impact your own perception of the world.
Proper emotional control seems difficult, however with practice, and an understanding of your ticks and triggers (both things that make you happy or sad) can put you on a better path of self-control. Even if you cannot alter your situation you can always alter your perception. In that way, you can always be in control of each experience you have.