Mindfulness Headphone Listening: A Qobuz Playlist for Ultimate Relaxation
Read Time: Approx. 14 min.
Headphones On, Worries Away: The Power of Music and Mindfulness Exercises
There's no question that music is powerful. It has this uncanny ability to connect people from all walks of life and speak to the soul in ways unimaginable. We all have that one special song that when it plays the world stands still for a second and we're whisked away to a blissful state. Study after study has proven that music is as powerful as it feels, altering our mood and state of consciousness, much like the benefits of mindfulness.
There's a style of music for every occasion, mood, activity, etc. Throwing a birthday party? Play some pop, country, or hip-hop. Gearing up for a beach day? Think Beach Boys. But what do we listen to when we want a quiet, mindful moment of self-care amidst everyday life? The answer to that question isn't the same for everyone. For some, it may be smooth jazz or classical compositions. Others may prefer EDM, Americana, or R&B. That's the superpower of music: It's personal. What resonates with me might not be for you, and vice versa. To honor the tastes of everyone, we've created a 'relaxation station' playlist with some of our favorite songs. From classical to jazz, contemporary, and lo-fi, our Qobuz playlist has something for everyone so we invite you to take a spill, kick your shoes off, take a deep breath and open Qobuz, slip your headphones on, and press play. Don't have the perfect pair of headphones? We've got a list of recommendations to solve that problem too.
The Relationship Between Music and Mindfulness: A Path to Self-Compassion
What is Mindfulness?
When you hear the word mindfulness (or mindful) you probably think of yoga mats, meditation practice, oversized Buddha heads, sound healing baths, etc. By definition, mindfulness is the practice of self awareness and being fully engaged in the present moment, but mindfulness can look different for everyone. Rooted in Buddhist traditions, mindfulness has evolved into various forms of interventions and exercises that cater to beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Personally, I can't sit still to save my life so traditional mindfulness meditation and yoga aren't very helpful for achieving a state of mindfulness. Instead, I find myself most at peace listening to my favorite songs. Once I select a track, slip on my headphones, and crank that dial all my worries melt away and my well-being elevates. This approach to mindful awareness through music can be just as effective as guided meditation for some individuals.
Music is an incredible tool for relaxation and mental health, and personally, I think it's not used enough in health care settings. Have you ever been stuck in traffic, your patience is wearing, and suddenly your favorite song comes on? It may not magically solve all of your problems but for those 3 minutes and 30 seconds, traffic is irrelevant. That's what music can do for you. It can make a crappy situation feel slightly less bad. Make a good time a great time—in a second.
You can sit in stillness and do nothing but listen to music, or create it to relax. You can also use relaxing music as a soundtrack for your daily activities. Washing the dishes. Commuting. Doing chores. The list is endless. But next time you listen to music, I invite you to listen mindfully. Notice the melody, rhythm, and tone. Pay attention to the emotional state it evokes. The benefits of mindfulness are endless, from improved quality of life to enhanced self-compassion.
Can music really make you feel better?
Yes there are many health benefits, and experts have done hundreds upon hundreds of studies to support this claim. According to the American Music Therapy Association, music can be used to promote wellness, emotional regulation, manage and decrease stress, and enhance memory. Certified music therapists use it to address their clients' physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. The National Institute of Health (NIH) says that listening to music has a direct impact on your emotions. "Music is remarkable in its ability to induce emotions in listeners." It's even been found that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy has reduced anxiety and improved mood in cancer patients.
Benefits of listening to relaxing music and practing mindfulness
Enhanced Mood
Settles the Mind and Body
Enhances Mindfulness
Stress Reduction through mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
Chronic Pain Management
Boosted Creativity & Problem-Solving
Improved Focus
Improved Sleep
Moon Audio's Top Picks for Relaxing, Mindful Melodies
Since relaxation looks different to everyone, our playlist isn't as cut and dry as traditional spa music or melodic melodies. We've curated a playlist full of our favorite relaxing, blissful melodies that you can only find exclusively on Qobuz. Don't have Qobuz? Explore our Qobuz blog and make the switch today! Our playlist is a mix of instrumental, acoustic, and vocal-centric songs. We all have different musical tastes and this playlist reflects that. Think of it as the perfect playlist to throw on in a whim, or when you're ready to kick your boots off, pop the cork off a bottle of wine, and find your zen. It's an excellent companion for your daily routine of mindfulness exercises or meditation sessions.
You, Your Headphones, and Audio Bliss: Enhancing Your Mindful Movement Practice
If music has the power to make you feel better, naturally you want it to sound better. Extraordinary sound is what drives us music lovers at Moon Audio—that and the perfect pair of cushy headphones. We find our customers are looking for audio gear that can do more for their music...so that their music can do more for them. Sometimes they know exactly what they want; other times, they seek our expertise, and along the way, we get to know our customers, their musical tastes, listening styles, and budgets. The common theme in many of our customer's stories is that music plays a therapeutic roles in their lives, much like the benefits of meditation.
The perfect pair of headphones can transform your listening experience, allowing you to hear your music in a new light. I remember the first time I heard one of my favorite songs in high fidelity. I slipped those high-end headphones over my ears—it was the HiFiMan HE1000V2 Headphones—pressed play, and practically fell out of my chair. And I'm not being dramatic. I've gotten so spoiled with high-end audiophile-grade headphones that everything falls short.
Pictured: Focal Celestee Headphones
But let's be real—How can you relax, unwind, and listen mindfully if your headphones are uncomfortable? The perfect pair of headphones won't be too tight, oversized, or headache-inducing. Just like the perfect bowl of porridge, it'll be just right. While it's not as important as fit and comfort, headphone style is worth mentioning too. You've got your open-back headphones, closed-back headphones, wireless, wired, In-Ear Monitors, and so on. I won't get into the weeds of it, but if you're interested in learning more check out our blog on picking the perfect pair of headphones.
The Best Headphones for Relaxing, Mindful Listening
The best headphones for relaxing and mindful listening don't have to be the most expensive, flagship models. Certainly, those will deliver you the highest sound quality possible, but sometimes a versatile headphone is the best choice. We carry a large, curated collection of high-end headphones that suit every type of listener and listening scenario. Please take advantage of our collection and blogs to explore different headphones, because what's on this list might not cut it for you...and that's okay!
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
Want the ultimate pair of headphones for relaxation? I introduce to you the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones. What makes them simply the best? For starters, they're wireless so you can throw these bad boys on and do those dreaded dishes ~in style~. They're equipped with active noise cancellation, promoting the most relaxing listening environment you can imagine. Stressors of the day get you in a funk? No problem! Slip on your noise-canceling headphones and let the outside world slip away.
Sound-wise, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is incredibly versatile, delivering a sound that's fun and easy to love. These are great for classical, jazz, alternative, synthwave, and more, bringing out some nuanced clarity and expressive midrange. Bluetooth and hi-res codecs sound great, comfort is even better than the last generation (Sennheiser Momentum 3), and the new gesture and touch controls make navigating your music as simple as swiping your finger. What more could you want?
Dragon Cable Recommendation: For a wired listening experience, we recommend our Bronze Dragon Portable Headphone Cable. Lightweight, effortlessly portable, and musical.
Meze Audio 99 Classics Headphones
The Meze Audio 99 Classics are one of our favorite pairs of cans at Moon Audio. Every employee in our office has a pair at their desk for casual listening. At $300 you get an affordable headphone that boasts a premium sound. Meze Audio makes some of the best headphones around, and their sound quality and overall craftsmanship stretch from their highest flagship level cans all the way down to the entry-level models too. The 99 Classics are incredibly lightweight...so light you might forget you're even wearing them! They've got a self-adjusting headband mechanism, meaning that as soon as you slide them over your ears they mold perfectly to your head—without needing any manual adjustments. The ear cups are large, mimicking the natural shape of the human ear without swallowing up half your face.
The sound? Fun and energetic with great imaging. They've got a soundstage that's intimate enough to put you close to the music without feeling overwhelmed. They'll do justice to all your music, no matter the genre so whether you're enjoying some R&R with our curated playlist or bopping your head to some high-energy tunes, you're satisfied.
The 99 Classics are a staple piece in your headphone collection. Don't let the entry-level status of these cans deter you—they exude luxury from the ear cup shell to the sound entering your ear canals.
Sennheiser 660S2 Headphones
The Sennheiser 660S2 Headphones are one of the best sweet spots for a great-sounding, mid-tier audiophile headphone. It retains the iconic Sennheiser styling with fit that's secure, but never snug. The 660S2 is both warm and detailed with a smooth top-end, making it a great match for rich, emotionally engaging melodies.
The 660S2 is incredibly lightweight and not overly flashy or elegant. It's the perfect headphone for everyday, casual listening that's frivolous and carefree. As a dynamic driver headphone, it's easy to drive, but we always recommend pairing audiophile headphones with a headphone amp, DAC, or DAP.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Sennheiser 660S2 with the Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable for enhanced detail retrieval and resolution. For a neutral, uncolored presentation, we enjoy our Blue Dragon Headphone Cable.
Focal Bathys Wireless Headphones
Another wireless pick, the Focal Bathys Wireless Headphones are a step above the Sennheiser Momentum 4 with a higher build quality, better sound, and more sophisticated look. What do we love most about the Bathys? The styling and sound quality. As with most Focal headphones, there's a level of sophistication that very few hi-fi brands can match. The Bathys also boast active noise cancellation technology that's pretty top-notch so you can enjoy a quiet, blissful listening experience free of distractions.
The Bathy is a superb-sounding headphone with the option to listen wired or wirelessly. What makes the Bathys stand out however is the USB-DAC mode which can offer up to 24-bit/192 resolution. Great soundstage for a closed-back headphone with a bass response that's tight and thumpy. The mids and highs are clear and detailed making it sound great with just everything out there.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: For a wired listening experience, we recommend our Bronze Dragon Portable Headphone Cable. Lightweight, effortlessly portable, and musical.
Meze Audio 109 Pro Headphones
Everything about Meze Audio is just...Ameze. They make incredibly comfortable headphones, most of which are quite versatile-sounding. The 109 Pro is great for rock, blues, jazz, and alternative music in particular—but they complement just about everything. They're great for easy listening. Need to take a quick break between work calls? Throw on the 109 Pros and drift into audio bliss. They've got a great natural sound that leans slightly warm without diminishing from the top-end clarity.
The quality of the 109 Pro is impressive for the price range. You get a headphone that's comfortable with large ear cups mimicking the natural shape of the ear, and a self-adjusting headband mechanism. Meaning that each time you put them on they naturally adjust your head so you don't have to fidget with them yourself. Sometimes all you need is a headphone that looks great, fits great, and sounds great...and that's the 109 Pros.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Meze 109 Pro with the Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable for some added bottom-end weight. For a neutral, uncolored presentation, we enjoy our Blue Dragon Headphone Cable.
Focal Clear MG Headphones
Look familiar? Yep, you guessed it. Another pair of Focal headphones! The Focal Clear MG Headphones are a premier mid-tier choice for audiophiles. They retain that signature Focal styling with an all-bronze aesthetic and silver accents. The big deal here is the new M-shaped magnesium dome, improving the dynamics and balance of the Clear MG compared to the OG Clear headphones.
Perfect for blues, country, and folk, the Focal Clear MG is a balanced-sounding headphone with nice detail retrieval. They're great for reference listening, critical listening sessions, and really any time you want to hear the most accurate sound reproduction from your music. Its tried and true sound combined with the comfort of cushy ear pads and a lush headband make the Clear MG an exceptional choice for audiophiles craving the best of the best.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: We recommend pairing the Focal Clear MG Headphones with our Silver Dragon Premium Headphone Cable for added top-end resolution and enhanced detail retrieval.
Dragon Audio Cables
There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure your audio cables are not afterthoughts. When you're paying for high-quality sound in a high-end pair of headphones you want every link in your signal chain to be of the utmost quality. Sometimes, stock audio cables are an afterthought by manufacturers who put so much work into crafting the perfect headphones. That's where we step in, to provide a solution to the problem.
Our HiFi Audio Dragon Cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top-end sparkle - a Silver Dragon Headphone Cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - as many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB Audio Cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our audio cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right HiFi Audio cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to Contact Us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Pictured: Focal Celestee Headphones with Black Dragon Premium Headphone Cable
Verdict
In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of peace feel few and far between in daily life, but are more important than ever. Whether you're winding down after a long day, seeking inspiration, or simply trying to relax, the combination of practicing mindfulness and listening to high-quality audio can be magical. Our curated Qobuz playlist, paired with the perfect set of headphones, offers a gateway to a more relaxed, focused, and enjoyable listening experience. It's an excellent tool for beginners looking to start their mindfulness journey or for those seeking to enhance their existing mindfulness-based stress reduction practice.
From the versatile Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones to the luxurious Focal Clear MG, there's an option for every preference and budget. These headphones can be your companion in guided meditation sessions or help you cultivate mindful awareness throughout your day. Don't see one you love? Explore our entire collection. And don't forget the power of Dragon Audio Cables, because what's great sound without a great audio cable? So take a moment for yourself, put on your favorite pair of headphones, and let the healing power of music wash over you. Incorporate this into your daily routine, and you might find it becomes one of your favorite mindfulness exercises. Your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it. Happy listening!
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