Music for Relaxation
Classical music can be a powerful tool for relieving every day stress. Here we recommend some the the best classical music to make your day more relaxing...
In the morning
Wake up to some positive and calming music to help you set the tone for the rest of the day. Start the day with an uplifting piece like Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini to help you feel energised and ready to tackle the days chores.
Commuting/Travelling
Classical music can add some soothing colour to any journey. A calming piece like Satie's Gymopedie No.1 can have a contemplative effect making your commute a time to enjoy and not endure.
At work
If you work from home or have a radio in your office, playing classical music in the background can help take your mind off of work stress and make the task in hand more enjoyable. Listening to something inspiring like the Andante from Mozart's Piano Concerto No.21 will make you much more focused and prepared, than caffeine will.
Excercising
A good work out can be a great way of working out tension and letting off some steam. Jogging to a powerful piece of classical music like Vivaldi's Four Seasons will give you a good workout can aid relaxation quite nicely.
Household Chores
If you don't have the energy to face the cleaning after a long hard day at work, throw on a fun and lively piece like the Prelude to Act I of Bizet's Carmen to help you on the way to an organized and tidy home.
Cooking
Put on something fun like Liszt's Liebestraum No.3 to make cooking a pleasure rather than a chore. By the time dinner is ready you'll be much more relaxed and ready to enjoy your meal.
Eating dinner
Studies suggest that listening to classical music while eating causes people to eat well, aid digestion and improve health, so the next time you sit down for dinner put on the latest Ludovico Einaudi album instead of watching the evening news on TV.
In the bath
Fill the tub, add lots of bubbles and let something soothing like Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata help you to float away and forget about the day's stresses and strains - both physically and mentally.
Unwinding at the end of the day
Getting a good night's sleep is essential for relaxation, health and wellbeing. Playing music like Craig Armstrong's 'Balcony Scene' or 'Any Other Name' by Thomas Newman as you drift off is one way to counteract the effects of stress and help you get the restorative sleep you deserve.
Relaxation - The Ultimate Piano Chillout Album , featuring a collection of the most soothing, chilled out piano pieces on 3CDs, is available to buy now.
