What if the key to calming your mind… was in the music? In this episode of Pause Here, we explore the science, soul, and soothing power of sound – why certain rhythms calm your nervous system, how classical harmonies reduce stress, and what the research says about music’s role in mental health, memory, emotional regulation, and even trauma recovery.

From the science of rhythm and nervous system regulation to the emotional beauty of melody, I’ll take you through the research, the real-life uses, and how it all shaped Pausing Point to help you breathe, rest, and reset – one beat at a time. Breathe in. Press play. Let’s begin.

Below, you’ll find a comprehensive bibliography of all the sources we utilized in this episode.

• Viczko, J., Liu, X., & Thaut, M. (2023). Virtual reality-enhanced mindfulness and music therapy: New tools for nervous system regulation. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1120017.
• Trost, W., Labbé, C., & Grandjean, D. (2021). Rhythmic entrainment and music-evoked emotions: From brain to behavior. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1502(1), 110–123.
• Thoma, M. V., La Marca, R., Brönnimann, R., Finkel, L., Ehlert, U., & Nater, U. M. (2016). The effect of music on the human stress response. PLoS ONE, 8(8), e70156.
• Searchfield, G. D., Kobayashi, K., & Sanders, M. (2021). An exploration of sound therapy for tinnitus using customized music and mindfulness strategies. Hearing Research, 407, 108276.
• Reybrouck, M., & Brattico, E. (2022). Neuroplasticity, music and mindfulness: The therapeutic potential of musical mindfulness practices. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1517(1), 92–103.
• Moreno, D., de la Vega, R., & Diaz, M. (2023). Modulating alpha and theta activity through 60 BPM music in mindfulness-based stress reduction. Mindfulness, 14(1), 104–117.
• Konrad, C., Lehmkuhl, K., & Müller, V. (2024). Interpersonal neural synchrony during shared music listening: Implications for emotional bonding and empathy. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 19(1), 31–42.
• Herff, S. A., Olsen, K. N., Dean, R. T., & Prince, J. (2021). Music and the mind’s eye: Enhancing visual imagery through sound. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 15(3), 474–485.
• Ghanai, K. K. (2023). The cognitive effects of classical music on working memory and attention in adults. Journal of Music and Cognition, 12(2), 113–128.
• Brandmeyer, T., & Delorme, A. (2021). Reduced mind wandering and improved working memory in musicians and meditators. Consciousness and Cognition, 88, 103063.
• Bernardi, L., Porta, C., & Sleight, P. (2006). Cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and respiratory changes induced by different types of music in musicians and non-musicians: The importance of silence. Heart, 92(4), 445–452.