Create Emotional Balance by Expanding Your Horizons

(screen hissing) (mouse clicking) (gentle bright music) Headspace Studios. (gentle bright music) (tranquil music) Hi, friends. It's Rosie here. Welcome to Radio Headspace and to Thursday. So the other day, Torry walked into the living room with an exasperated look on his face and said "This album, again?" He loves it. That's when it hit me. I had been listening to the same album on repeat for days, The Cosmic Game by Thievery Corporation. I've been cycling through the same set of songs over and over every single day. And you know what? I'm not the only one who does this. It got me thinking, and then it got me researching, and here's what I found. Today, I wanna talk about the habit of listening to the same music on repeat. It's something many of us do, whether we're aware of it or not. I'll admit, I have a tendency to obsess over songs. Right now, my playlist constantly loops from Portishead to Selena, Tool, and Kendrick Lamar. Kids do this with movies too. Think of all the times you've heard "Let It Go" from "Frozen," or "You're Welcome" from "Moana." I don't even have kids, and I've heard these songs so many times. There's something comforting and familiar about experiencing the same story or song repeatedly, but why do we do this? What are the pros and cons of this repetitive listening habit? We put certain songs on a loop because they resonate deeply with our emotions, providing a comfort and familiarity. This repetitive listening can help us process feelings and create a sense of stability, much like how kids watch the same movies repeatedly for reassurance and joy. I remember when Tool's album, Lateralus, came out. The intricate tones and the length of the songs meant there was so much to explore in each track. From the hauntingly beautiful "Schism" to the mesmerizing title track "Lateralus," every song felt like a journey. I had it on repeat constantly. I listened to it on my morning commute, while meal prepping, and even while writing. The album became such a part of my daily life. Truth be told, this obsession isn't new to me. When I find a song or multiple songs that I like, I'll listen to them until I become sick of them. It's just part of who I am. I remember looping "Black" by Pearl Jam during a tough breakup, and it helped me feel understood and less alone in my emotions. (Rosie sighing) Oh, the '90s and young love. So I recently read an article from the late Dr. Honig from the University of Michigan. It explained that part of the reason why we do this is that the song resonates with us somehow. If you're in a gloomy mood, for example, you might listen to something that mirrors your feelings. It can make you feel understood and less alone in your emotions. On the other hand, if you're in a good mood, a feel-good song...