Scrolling through social media during January can be a risky move. The new year means people are constantly shoving New Year’s resolutions in your face. This January, we had them Presidential inauguration, which is stressful regardless of who may be the incoming president. If you’re a college student, January means that it is time to jump back into the world of education after sitting on your butt for a month. January is cold and gray. No one likes January, and it can be a hard time to keep morals high.
A couple of weeks ago, I was scrolling through my phone when a video came up that piqued my interest. It talked about how waking up and immediately starting your morning with good music and dancing boosts your mood for the whole day. As someone who frequently lets one thing that goes wrong ruin their mood, this was a fun habit that I could incorporate into my daily routine.
So, on the first day of classes, when my alarm went off, instead of scrolling through TikTok, checking Instagram, or replying to emails, I turned on some music and got out of bed. Maybe it was just the effect of syllabus week in the air, but honestly, I felt great! I got right out of bed, listened to some good music, and felt ready to take on the day.
Yes, it is absolutely cheesy and might not be something I want in print, but simply put, it’s fun. Rolling out of bed, putting on my headphones (because disturbing your neighbors in the morning is not a good look), playing good tunes, and dancing are great ways to start your morning. It’s just you, the music, and the dance floor. No one is watching.
While I have no scientific evidence to shows that this is improving my mood or whether it’s just the placebo effect, I don’t care; I’m too busy enjoying it. Adding something fun into my daily routine helps break up the long, repetitive days of winter. Research has not been done specifically on the effect of waking up in the morning and listening to music while dancing. However, there is evidence that music can positively impact the brain and body. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, listening to music can reduce anxiety, improve mood and memory, and quality of sleep. Count me in! Pairing this with dancing to get your body moving is the perfect way to start your day.
So, here are some song recommendations to start those cold winter mornings with. Remember, you must get your groove on when listening to music in the morning, so pick wisely!
- Lovely Day by Bill Withers
- My Universe by Coldplay, BTS
- Born This Way by Lady Gaga
- The Thrill by Wiz Khalifa, Empire Of The Sun
- Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall
- Blame It on the Boogie by The Jacksons
- Dang! (feat. Anderson .Paak) by Mac Miller
- Paper Planes by M.I.A.
- Accidentally In Love by Counting Crows
- Valerie by Amy Winehouse
This article should not add to the pressure of New Year’s resolutions and the constant media we see about how to be the best version of ourselves. No scientific studies (that I know of) have proven that waking up and having a dance party is beneficial. But regardless of health, it’s something fun to add to your routine when winter’s mundane nature can make you feel stuck. So, go out and groove!