The structure, rhythms, melodies, syntax, genres, lyrics of songs, a particular instrument, or even the voice of the singer speak to us in the language of humanity. It soothes us, inspires us, makes us happy, guides and directs us, validates our feelings and connects us to our deeply human needs and nature. It also activated my reward system, and I started to feel better. The song “Drift Away,” unleashed a cascade of neurobiological responses, initiating increased blood flow to different regions of my brain including the limbic system and igniting a flood of emotions and memories. Read More: You Asked: Is Listening to Music Good For Your Health? And when we remember to use this knowledge for prevention, wellness practices and interventions, it can significantly enhance your daily life. The simple act of listening to a favorite song can alter your mood, triggering long-ago memories. This day, I was comforted once again by the power of music to support my mental wellbeing. More from TIMEĪs a translational researcher at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, studying how the arts help us to heal, learn and flourish, I’ve read thousands of studies that offer foundational findings about how music and sound impact many parts of our brains and bodies. It’s a song that I have loved since I was a teenager, and maybe it was the unexpected tenderness of the singer’s voice, or the longing I felt just sitting underneath words, but I was moved. Just before, I was feeling a sense of melancholy, but as the song came on, I felt my spirits lift, transporting me from sadness towards a more hopeful feeling. Almost instantly, the words and music shifted something in me.

I stumbled upon the song on YouTube and started to listen along, playing it through a couple of times.

Drift away lyricsx