Can Breakup Songs Help You Mend Your Broken Heart? Here's What a Psychologist Says
Those who are going through heartaches after a breakup are usually drawn to listening to sad songs. Breakup songs tend to be more attractive to them. But can they help one move past a breakup? Check out what the expert said.
Breakup Songs in Mending a Broken Heart
Mark Travers, an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder, penned an article about sad songs and mending a broken heart published in Forbes.
People listen to depressing music for comfort, to deal with unpleasant feelings, and for aesthetic pleasure, Travers said, quoting a 2021 study published in the journal Psychology of Music. Researchers discovered that those with high levels of personality qualities like empathy, absorption, and openness to new things are more likely to enjoy sad music and use it as a coping mechanism for tough feelings.
However, the study also found that listening to depressing music detrimentally affected a sizable portion of teenagers (17%), particularly girls. These results imply that while there may not be a general mood-altering effect of sad music, some people with a particular set of personality traits may be more likely to feel bad when listening to sad music.
Another study published in PLOS ONE indicated that nostalgia is the most common emotion when listening to a depressing song, not necessarily melancholy. Even though it could be soothing to think back on more enjoyable times spent with an ex, persistently concentrating on the past can keep a person from moving on and making new romantic connections in the future.
When dealing with a breakup, sad songs can be helpful since they can help you reflect on your previous relationship, appreciate the wonderful memories, and analyze the unpleasant ones. However, research advises avoiding obsessing over the things you or your ex could have done differently because it may rapidly turn into an innocent trip down memory lane to exercise blaming.
Travers said it's okay to listen to breakup songs, but do not obsess with them and rely on them to help you move on.
Why Brokenhearted People Are Drawn to Sad Songs?
According to Daily Star, people are drawn to something they can relate to, whether good or bad. Breakup songs or sad music reflect one's broken feelings. That's why one tends to prefer them after a split.
Breakup songs are able to emotionally engage one because of their tones, lyrics, and subjects. Most songs about breakups have a slower tempo and clear vocals with emotion. All of which are much valued during a breakup.
Its calming music is soothing. Also, sad songs frequently trigger memories for you, causing you to reflect on the past and confront the present, which eventually aids in your ability to move on.
If the singer is singing about your perspective, breakup songs may occasionally offer suggestions for enhancing your current circumstances and may mark a turning moment for many.
However, one must realize as a listener that not all of what you hear in a song is based on reality. Therefore, relying on sad pop songs for mental health support is not recommended because they may occasionally, intentionally or unwittingly, glamorize mental health difficulties.
Sad pop songs can be admired for their artistic sensibilities that help improve mood. But if a breakup has a negative impact on you, contact a mental health expert who is qualified to handle such a scenario.
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