Sad Music

New research suggests listening to sad music can help overcome the heartbreak of an ended relationship. The results of the study don’t match with the common idea that upbeat music is best when feeling blue. It might account for why people began singing the blues – music to accompany painful or devastating times. The research is from the University of California at Berkeley. It says people find comfort in listening to tunes that reflect their negative mood. It also says weepy movies and books, or gloomy artwork, provide comfort and console broken hearts.
Study co-author Stephen Palmer said: “Emotional experiences of artistic products are important to our happiness and well-being.” The research is to be published in the August edition of the “Journal of Consumer Research” and is titled: “Interpersonal Relationships and Preferences in Artistic Experiences.” The authors say: “Consumers experience serious emotional problems when close relationships are broken, and look for something, or someone, else to replace the lost personal connection. In negative moods, they might choose artistic experiences consistent with their mood (sad music, moving films) even when more pleasant alternatives are also available.” They report on another study that found people prefer ‘angry music’ when they are frustrated by someone being late, being interrupted or after losing an Internet connection.