Latest news with #moodboosting
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The ultimate karaoke songs, according to science - so, is YOUR favourite on the list?
When it comes to karaoke, picking the right song can either make or break your night. Now, an expert has revealed the scientifically-backed singalong tunes to guarantee a good evening. Oxford University mathematician Dr Tom Crawford has devised a formula that combines the number of verses, repetition of chorus, beats per minute (BPM) and the year the song was released. The equation generates a score out of 100 and, from this, Dr Crawford has come up with the top 10 mood-boosting classics of all time. So, whether you're a Mariah-in-the-making or simply can't hold a tune, these will help you find joy, he says. 'There's some serious maths behind a karaoke belter,' he explained. Coming in first place is Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On a Prayer', which generated a score of 91. Released in 1986, it is mathematically proven to increase dopamine levels, Dr Crawford said. Close behind are Whitney Houston's 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody', which scored 90, and 'Don't Look Back in Anger' by Oasis, which reached an impressive 89. In joint fourth place is 'Queen of country pop' Shania Twain with her iconic 'Man! I Feel Like a Woman' and - pivoting to a completely different category - '500 Miles' by Scottish rock duo The Proclaimers. Both of these tracks scored 88, according to the formula. ABBA comes in sixth place with their song 'Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!', which scored 85, while the 2004 hit 'Unwritten' by Natasha Beddingfield came in joint seventh with a score of 84. Adele, known for her power ballads, also placed seventh with her melancholy 'Someone Like You' alongside the catchy pop single 'Wannabe' by the Spice Girls. Finally Mario's signature song 'Let Me Love You' - which was released in 2004 - took tenth spot with 83 points. Dr Crawford's method is based on data collected from 2,000 karaoke lovers across the UK. 'People love a fast-paced song with an average 126 BPM and three repeated chorus' for every two verses, just like most pop songs - hence why common favourites are scoring highly in the research,' he said. 'With ABBA dominating the 70's, through to Adele in the 2010's, the average release year of a karaoke classic is 1995. The top 10 karaoke songs, according to science Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi (91) I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston (90) Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis (89) Man! I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain (88) 500 Miles - The Proclaimers (88) Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - ABBA (85) Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield (84) Someone Like You - Adele (84) Wannabe - Spice Girls (84) Let Me Love You - Mario (83) Scores in brackets are out of 100 'This captures the boyband craze, as well as Brit pop with Oasis, and girl power like the Spice Girls, showing there's some serious maths behind a karaoke belter!' The research, carried out on behalf of Three UK and Samaritans, also found that nine out of 10 people say singing gives them an 'emotional uplift' while 70 per cent said it was cathartic. While a third of people surveyed said pop music was their favourite karaoke genre, a fifth said they prefer rock songs to let rip. The majority of participants revealed they have a 'go-to' karaoke tune with ABBA, Adele and Taylor Swift being the most popular artists to turn to. The top 10 endorphin-boosting belters will be available for music fans to sing their hearts out to in new 'Kathartic Karaoke' booths, launching at festivals this summer. The booth will launch this week at Latitude Festival in Suffolk, before being moved to The Mound at Edinburgh Fringe. Sonya Trivedy, Executive Director of External Engagement at Samaritans, said: 'Music has a unique power to have a positive impact on our mental health. 'Singing, in particular, can help people process emotions, ease stress and boost mood.' The news comes shortly after a study into the origins of blushing, which required teenagers to sing karaoke and then watch the videos back. As part of research, carried out by researchers from the University of Amsterdam, 40 16-20-year-olds first took part in a karaoke session. Participants sang four songs: 'Hello' by Adele, 'Let it go' from Frozen, 'All I want for Christmas is you' by Mariah Carey and 'All the things she said' by tATu. These songs were chosen because several music experts judged these songs to be very difficult to sing – ensuring that participants would be embarrassed watching themselves singing them. As they were shown the videos of themselves and others singing their cheek temperature – an indicator of blushing – and brain activity were measured. The results revealed that blushing was stronger when participants watched themselves sing. Listening to melancholy music can improve a person's emotional well-being in times of loneliness and distress. Sad songs, in particular, can stir up a mixture of complex and 'partially positive' emotions, including nostalgia, peacefulness, tenderness, transcendence and wonder. Upbeat music that you're not consciously aware that you're listening to typically have no affect on how you feel. But actively seeking out happiness through music can sometimes improve your health and relationship satisfaction.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
5 Vegetables That Can Actually Make You Happier, According to Health Experts
Vegetables are a controversial topic—some people love them, others loathe them. But if everyone knew that consuming certain vegetables could actually make you happier, there'd be less hostility towards the food group. 'In short, healthy diets that are high in whole foods with many nutrients have been shown to improve our mental health, including our mood,' says Liz Weinandy, RDN, registered dietitian. 'On the flipside, eating foods high in sugar and saturated fats like many ultra-processed foods contain, has been shown to cause stress and inflammation in our bodies including our brains.' To help you shortlist a few vegetables that can lift your spirits, we asked dietitians for their favorite mood-boosting Weinandy, RDN, registered dietitian and instructor of practice in medical dietetics at The Ohio State University's Wexner Medical Center Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN, plant-based dietitian and consultant for MyNetDiarySpinach is a leafy green that 'contain[s] a mix of B vitamins that boost mood,' says Amy Brownstein, MS, RDN, plant-based dietitian. 'B vitamins like thiamin, niacin, pyridoxine, folate, and vitamin B12 help produce mood-related neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. Additionally, B vitamins support DNA synthesis and help maintain brain cell membranes—essential for healthy brain function and mood stability.' So the next time you're trying to beat the Sunday scaries, consider adding spinach to the meal you're making. While onions might make you cry, they can also boost your mood. Although research is limited, certain studies have found that onion powder can have anti-depressant-like effects on the brain. Additionally, onions are high in vitamin C and vitamin B6, both of which have been scientifically proven to boost mood and suppress depressive and anxious feelings. Plus, the smell of sautéed onions is enough to make you smile. Peppers are 'very high in vitamin C—even more than citrus fruits,' Weinandy says. Research has shown that eating spicy foods can have positive psychological effects, specifically due to its vitamin C and capsaicin content. Some research even suggests that capsaicin can work as an endorphin, or those feel-good hormones you experience after working out or spending time with friends. Carrots are packed with carotenoids, the pigment that gives it its orange color. Carotenoids have been associated with a higher level of optimism, making carrots an excellent choice for a mood-boosting vegetable. Plus, they can be prepared in a variety of ways—snack on them with hummus, shred them into your salads, or roast a batch and serve them as a side dish. 'Studies have shown that following a Mediterranean-style diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, and legumes—is associated with lower rates of depression and improved mood,' Weinandy says. You can add legumes to almost any healthy dish: salads, soups, stir-fry, or even on their own. And it doesn't hurt that legumes are also excellent for your digestive health, making it a superfood in the world of mood-boosting vegetables. Related: 19 Anti-Inflammatory Foods Health Experts Want You to Eat More Often Read the original article on Real Simple
