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What music makes people happiest?

A study claims to have identified the 'happiest' music fans – and up top, are jazz lovers. Opera and jazz fans are among the 'happiest' of music genres, new research has claimed.

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Opera and jazz fans among ‘happiest’ of music genres, study finds

By Maddy Shaw Roberts

A study claims to have identified the ‘happiest’ music fans – and up top, are jazz lovers. Opera and jazz fans are among the ‘happiest’ of music genres, new research has claimed. For the study, two million Reddit comments from the subreddits of 27 different music genres were analysed, and the team calculated the number of times positive or happy expressions were mentioned. Jazz lovers were found to be happier than any other genre – twice as happy as pop fans, in fact. Within the r/jazz subreddit, the study found 77 positive words mentioned for every 100 comments on average. The second happiest fans are those of metal (62 positive statements per 100 comments), with opera lovers in third place (56 per 100). Weighing in on the study, psychologist Şirin Atçeken said: “Jazz and metal are emotive and allow us to express our emotions whilst we listen to the music, but it’s two extremes. “Jazz is a major stress buster and causes positive effects. It physically changes the body, and lowers heart rate and pulse, making us feel calmer and relaxed.” Following as the fourth happiest, according to social media, are the smaller community of folk music fans with 55 positive words mentioned per 100 comments. Classical lovers were found to be the 10th happiest, with a high volume of positive words (21,000) on the r/classicalmusic subreddit but a higher volume of comments (49,000), leading to just 43 positive mentions per 100 comments.

For Atçeken, jazz and metal are also “notoriously” good at nurturing communities.

“People who listen to these genres are more likely to find common ground with other listeners and become part of the community,” she added. “These communities provide kindness, relatability, friendship, and a space to share feelings, ideas, and a safe space to just be. This support increases happiness, positivity and feelings of love and acceptance. “One final reason that jazz and metal fans may be happier, is that many of them, especially in older years have accepted who they are as individuals and are more assured of themselves. Acceptance, and understanding, is the key to happiness after all.” Want to vote for opera or classical music in world’s biggest survey of classical music tastes? Cast your votes before 14 March for the chance to win an iPad, smart speaker or luxury hamper.

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What happens if you shower at night?

“The body naturally cools down as bedtime approaches, in sync with the circadian rhythm,” she said. “Showering artificially raises the temperature again and allows for a faster cool down, which seems to hasten sleep.” Showering is also a good way to unwind and release muscle tension, she said, which aids sleep.

There were few greater sins in my childhood home than going to bed dirty, though I could sometimes appease my mother by just washing my feet before slipping between the clean sheets. Now, as an adult, I cannot bear to get in bed with the grime of the day clinging to my skin. And I’m not alone. We are the takers of night showers, and we stand in opposition to the takers of morning showers, a vocal many I’ve bickered with time and again. Don’t they feel rushed by the countdown to work or school beating down with the shower spray? Don’t they want to squeeze in every possible, precious moment of sleep? Do they really step outside on icy mornings with wet hair, or take even more time to blow-dry? There’s no rationale, or so I thought.

The case for a morning shower

People who love morning showers will tell you there is no better start to the day than by blasting away unruly bed hair and the crust of sleep, or for those who are particularly ambitious, wash off after a morning workout.

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