From a study by Labbé E, Schmidt N, Babin J, and Pharr M:
Listening to classical and self-selected relaxing music after exposure to a stressor should result in significant reductions in anxiety, anger, and sympathetic nervous system arousal, and increased relaxation compared to those who sit in silence or listen to heavy metal music. Fifty-six college students, 15 males and 41 females, were exposed to different types of music genres after experiencing a stressful test. Several 4 x 2 mixed design analyses of variance were conducted to determine the effects of music and silence conditions (heavy metal, classical, or self-selected music and silence) and time (pre-post music) on emotional state and physiological arousal. Results indicate listening to self-select or classical music, after exposure to a stressor, significantly reduces negative emotional states and physiological arousal compared to listening to heavy metal music or sitting in silence [emphasis added].
Next time you are stressed, or someone has upset you, don’t just sit there and fume in silence. It’s bad for you. Turn on your classical CD, or stream some classical music from the internet, and get the benefits of a clear head, relaxation, and a little exercise for your brain, too.