Bathing has the effect of relieving fatigue and stress, and listening to certain music while bathing can further enhance the relaxing effect.

This time, we will introduce three points that will significantly increase the relaxing effect when listening to music while bathing.

1. Take a bath while listening to ambient music that contains a lot of 1/f fluctuations

Although people's musical tastes vary widely depending on their individual tastes, there are only a limited number of genres of music that contain 1/f fluctuations.

"1/f fluctuation" has a healing effect that relaxes the mind and body, so we recommend listening to "ambient music" that contains a lot of "1/f fluctuation" while bathing.

"1/f fluctuation" is a unique "fluctuation (rhythm)" that is roughly equal parts regular and unexpected, and is found mainly in sounds such as trees rustling in the wind or rain falling.

This is not only found in sound, but also in visual information such as the grain of wood and the light of a candle, and when the brain detects "1/f fluctuations" through hearing and vision, feelings of anxiety and tension are reduced.

In an experiment where the space and environment of "1/f fluctuation" was artificially recreated, it was verified that subjects who sensed "1/f fluctuation" experienced a healing effect. In this experiment, "1/f fluctuation" was frequency analyzed, and the unique "fluctuation (rhythm)" was turned into a light source using lighting equipment and irradiated on the subjects.

When subjects were exposed to 1/f fluctuations through visual information and their brain waves were measured, it was found that after the light source was irradiated, anxiety levels decreased and positive emotions improved, resulting in a reduction in stress. [Note 1]

Environmental music is a collection of natural sounds that contain the healing effect of 1/f fluctuations mentioned above, and is healing music that evokes images of various locations such as forests and beaches. In addition to natural sounds, there are also sound sources that include acoustic instrument accompaniment and classical music.

[Note 1] Miyaho Laboratory: Study on a healing environment using 1/f fluctuations [pdf]

2. Take a bath while listening to classical music, which has the effect of inducing "alpha waves."

The brain switches between calm and active brain waves depending on the physical and mental condition, and when you are awake and engaged in work or housework, beta waves (approximately 13 Hz or higher) become dominant.

On the other hand, when you are in a relaxed state, such as during a break or before going to bed, "alpha waves" (approximately 8-13 Hz) become dominant, stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and inducing drowsiness. Classical music has the effect of inducing "alpha waves," so listening to it while bathing can enhance the relaxation effect.

When alpha waves become dominant, beta-endorphin is secreted in the brain, which is said to produce a sense of euphoria and relieve stress. Beta-endorphin is a type of hormone (opioid peptide) that is also secreted when you continue aerobic exercise such as running a marathon for a certain period of time.

Furthermore, "alpha waves" can be further subdivided into two types: "alpha 1 waves" (8.5-10.5 Hz) and "alpha 2 waves" (10.5-12.5 Hz), with "alpha 1 waves" being considered to reflect a more relaxed state of mind and body. [Note 2]

Classical music has the effect of inducing "alpha waves," so listening to it while bathing will give dominance to the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing you to relax and relieve fatigue.

Mozart's music in particular is said to be effective in inducing alpha waves, so we recommend pieces in major keys that will uplift your mood, such as Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major, K. 543, or Piano Concerto No. 27 in B major, K. 595.

[Note 2] Kyushu University Library: The effect of Mozart's music on brain wave fluctuations [pdf]

3. Immerse yourself in water at around 37-39 degrees Celsius to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.

When listening to music while bathing, immerse yourself in water that is around 37-39 degrees Celsius to stimulate your parasympathetic nervous system. The effect of the water temperature on your mind and body varies, and bathing in water that is 42 degrees Celsius or higher is said to be effective in improving metabolism and relieving fatigue.

However, a high-temperature bath will activate the sympathetic nervous system, waking you up and making it difficult to relax.

A lukewarm bath in water around 37-39 degrees Celsius relieves muscle stiffness and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing you to relax both body and mind. The recommended time to soak is about 15 minutes, and it is recommended to take a bath 1-2 hours before going to bed.

Taking a bath itself has a detoxifying effect and regulates core body temperature, but listening to music while bathing can have an even more relaxing effect. Listening to music while bathing at the end of the day can help relieve accumulated fatigue and stress, so you may wake up feeling refreshed the next morning.

When listening to music while bathing, try listening to ambient music that contains 1/f fluctuations or classical music that induces alpha waves, and relax by soaking in water that is not too hot.