This is a very personal blog entry. I have been trying different coping mechanisms in order to help release my anxiety (we all have these moments), and then it hit me – music is the fastest way to escape from your own head.

Music has become the best therapeutic tool. I started to make my personal playlists with songs that emerge me into a different reality (after moving to Como, Italy I began to listen to Italian music, it has been healing my soul since).

According to science, when we listen to music we enjoy, our brain releases endorphins and dopamine, neurotransmitters responsible for pleasure and relaxation. This chemical response helps counteract stress hormones, such as cortisol, leading to a decrease in anxiety levels. By curating a collection of songs that lead me to experiencing positive emotions and relaxation, I managed to create a go-to resource for moments of stress (consider including songs with a slower tempo, gentle instrumentals, and positive/light lyrics).

So, the next time anxiety creeps in, listen to my personal playlist that will make you feel like the main character in your own Italian movie.

Feel free to share (and comment on) this post & playlist, you can always write to me directly on Instagram or send me an e-mail here,

Anastasia Agurbash,

Founder of Port’Arte