Taking the time to listen is already a way of slowing down.Music influences our heart rate, our breathing, and even our perception of time. According to a study published in *Frontiers in Psychology* (2020), slower tempos can reduce our heart rate by 10 to 20 percent in just a few minutes.
Here are five songs to listen to to make the minutes go by more slowly… and one last one, which is a bit different.
1. Max Richter – On the Nature of Daylight
A modern classic of neoclassical music. Its slow tempo (66 beats per minute) invites contemplation. Featured in numerous films (Arrival, Shutter Island), it almost physically slows down the perception of time.
"🎶 Effect observed: Instrumental music without a distinct rhythm reduces stress by 65%, according to a study by the University of Sussex (2017)."
2. Agnes Obel – Riverside
The gentle vocals and minimalist arrangement of this track envelop the listener in a suspended bubble. It’s perfect for a quiet moment, reading, or a summer meal under the trees.
"📚 Good to know: Studies (Journal of Music Therapy, 2018) show that songs with a steady tempo promote better emotional regulation."
Minimalist, uncluttered, intimate: just a voice and a guitar. This song makes time stand still and invites you to slow down naturally, without any artifice.
"🧐 Key fact: Slow music strengthens the neural connections associated with meditation and relaxation (Neuroscience of Music, 2019)."
4. Sufjan Stevens – Mystery of Love
Known for its ethereal and delicate atmosphere, this track blends melancholy and tranquility. It’s perfect for slowing down naturally, like a stroll at dusk.
"🌿 Observation: Music with a moderate tempo (70–90 bpm) stimulates serotonin production, promoting a sense of calm and well-being (Psychology of Music, 2020)."
5. Men I Trust – Show Me How
A gentle, ethereal Canadian indie-pop track. Emma Proulx’s soft, hushed voice and the minimalist arrangements create an immediate sense of weightlessness.
"🌎 Science Fact: Listening to soft dream-pop promotes the production of alpha brain waves, which are associated with deep relaxation (Harvard Health Publishing, 2021)."
(+1) Dominique Fils-Aimé – Where There Is Smoke
(A little personal note)
A track that builds slowly, with vocals, instruments, and effects gradually coming in. Best enjoyed with high-fidelity headphones or good speakers for a truly immersive experience.
"🎧 Sensory tip: Listening to a track in high quality triples your perception of subtle audio details, thereby amplifying the relaxing effects (Audio Engineering Society Journal, 2021)."
🌿 Key Takeaways
"Slowing down isn't wasting time; it's regaining it.Sometimes just a few notes are enough to put an entire day on hold. And slowing down through music sometimes comes down to truly paying attention to those few notes."