Discovering the Power of Music: My Audio Apothecary Playlist

My journey into writing my book, Life in Five Senses, led me to discover the power of music. Interestingly, my sense of hearing was one of the most neglected senses for me, and I wanted to change that. I believed that music would help me tune in to my hearing more efficiently, and it did not disappoint.

The Universality of Music

Every culture in the world has music. Music plays significant roles in various aspects of human activities like entertainment, dancing, religious ceremonies, military exercises, and physical work. Music can keep us calm, focused, energized, and it can ease our pain. Furthermore, it has the power of making arduous tasks seem less strenuous, which is why many people turn to music while exercising.

Despite its wide range of benefits, and its universal appeal, I rarely listened to music. However, I knew that I could always listen to an upbeat song to get a quick hit of pep in my step. Thus, I decided to create an “Audio Apothecary” playlist of songs that would give me the right boost.

Creating My Audio Apothecary with Dolly Parton

For my initial inspiration, I went to YouTube to listen to Dolly Parton’s rendition of the “Mule Skinner Blues.” The cheerful yodeling and upbeat tune made me feel happy, and it was the first addition to my Audio Apothecary playlist. Over time, I added more songs to create different moods like:

• Happy and Energetic
• Meditative
• Confident and powerful
• Nostalgic – using the Nostalgia Machine for ideas

Listening to these songs gave me a hit of dopamine. It made me feel as if I had won a bet or bit into a chocolate bar. I could indulge in music as much as I wanted, and it was healthy (as long as I didn’t turn up the volume too loud).

Sharing My Audio Apothecary Playlist

If you are interested in listening to my Audio Apothecary playlist, you can find it on Spotify, and it is available for free:

• Open Spotify
• Click on “Search” and search for “gretchenrubin” (without space)
• Click on the “Profiles” button on the top bar
• Select “gretchenrubin” and then “Gretchen Rubin’s Audio Apothecary”

Creating Your Own Audio Apothecary Playlist

If you want to create your Audio Apothecary, all you need to do is identify the mood you want to evoke. Pay attention to how each song makes you feel, and you can gradually add them to your playlist over time. If you don’t listen to music regularly, you can start by searching for one song that you love or a song you heard on the radio.

You can also download music identification apps to help you take note of songs you hear out and about. I found this helpful when I heard music in stores or cafes and wanted to add them to my Audio Apothecary playlist.

Final Thoughts

Music has the power of tuning us in and uplifting our moods in various ways. Starting your Audio Apothecary playlist today by adding your favorite songs is an excellent place to start. If you want to learn more about tuning in to your senses to get energy, calm, creativity, luck, and love, I invite you to check out my book, Life in Five Senses.