Weightless by Marconi Union January 27, 2022
Posted by nrhatch in Health & Wellness, Life Balance, Meditation, Mindfulness.trackback
Need a break? Check out this video by Marconi Union.
Weightless has been shown to reduce stress by 65% (according to people who study and measure such things).
Aah . . . that’s better!
For more ways to de-stress: 7 Ways to De-Stress When You Can’t Go Outside (Harvard Business Review)
In a nutshell: Move. Laugh. Breathe. Journal. Meditate. Blow Bubbles. Go with the Flow (cooking, painting, singing, playing in the sandbox, ironing sheets). And . . . Listen to Music. Like Weightless.
Spirit Lights The Way 
I like the music but am not taken with the video. Looking at it makes me feel a little seasick. Listening however is great.
Watching the lights reminded me of fireflies on a summer’s evening, but I can see how seasickness could be an issue given the water’s reflection.
Maybe firelight beats fireflies when it comes to de-stressing.
I didn’t find the music soothing but I didn’t get seasick so that’s a plus!
From a quick google:
* The group that created “Weightless”, Marconi Union, did so in collaboration with sound therapists. Its carefully arranged harmonies, rhythms, and bass lines help slow a listener’s heart rate, reduce blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
* Weightless by Marconi Union was found to reduce levels of stress and anxiety by a whopping 65 percent, and produced a greater state of relaxation than any other music tested to date.
* What they found is that one song — “Weightless” — resulted in a striking 65 percent reduction in participants’ overall anxiety, and a 35 percent reduction in their usual physiological resting rates. Interestingly, the song was specifically designed to induce this highly relaxed state.
* The British Academy of Sound Therapy assisted Marconi Union in writing the song, with special consideration toward sounds that would help soothe sleepy listeners. “Weightless” includes a heartbeat-like rhythm, calming melodies, and the incorporation of gentle chimes.
So . . . my theory? What Brits find relaxing is not what we find relaxing. They like tea. We’ll take coffee. 😀
Yes! Tea would never do first thing in the morning.
Coffee = stimulating AND relaxing! 😀
I like your theory, Nancy. The light-things moved too fast to seem relaxing to me. And they didn’t seem weightless. They looked like drones being moved by the drone operator. I might find the music relaxing if I was moving around, doing other things or if I was lying down with my eyes closed. But watching it on YouTube, I felt impatient.
I tend to agree, Nicki. I found I was “waiting” to see what the drones would do next rather than relaxing to the music. The article on 7 Ways to De-Stress is a good overview of the need to breathe and relax.
What a treat! Thank you Nancy 💕
Glad you enjoyed! I’m getting back into yoga and your Vimeo channel has been a treat!
Glad you are enjoying it Nancy! It’s a bit out of date, as I record for monthly members. I’ll pop something up there for you and others who want to play with props! Thanks for the inspiration. 💛🙏💛
Thanks! I’ve done the Chair Yoga lesson a few times and the Lunchtime Yoga a few times.
BTW: I’ve noticed a bit of crepitus. 😆
As usual, you have great posts. Like others have commented, I like the video in theory. But the music was less soothing than I had hoped it would be. Kudos to those who gained relief from it. That’s great!
Agreed. found the video interesting, but not relaxing. Like Nicki noted, having the music playing in the background might work better than sitting and watching a drone buzzing around.
And poor Ally . . . she got seasick!
I often rely on music as a preferred way of relaxing. I have different play lists available to match my moods. It’s always interesting that when stressed there are playlists I reach for, and many others it’s best to avoid! 🙂
Enjoy your playlists!
I just read an excellent article on music and memory and cognition. Here’s the link:
https://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/research-shows-promising-effects-of-music-on-brain-power
Over from Ally’s. I could certainly use some de-stressing. My usual strategy is reading a good book or writing. Walking also helps. Listening to music.
Hi Margaret! I thought that Ally’s Delightful Blogroll was brilliant. Thanks for swinging by. Walking, Laughing, Music, and Writing are great strategies to de-stress from distress. Cheers!
I once read that STRESSED spelled backwards spells out… DESSERTS 🙂
Now you’re talking!