As a proud expat, I have a laundry list of reasons why I prefer living in Europe to living in America. However, arguably the best reason, and indeed the one I enjoy yapping about the most, is the extremely affordable concert-going culture of Europe. The exponentially cheaper concert tickets and travel make concert-going not only accessible but also budget-friendly ā perfect for a broke uni student living abroad. As I have taken advantage of this aspect of European life, I have also noticed the positive impact it has on my mental health, especially given that I am no stranger to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I call it my Serotonin Secret, a three-part cocktail of pure joy: the music, the travel, and the social interactions that inevitably flow from music-tourism.Ā These three ingredients combine for a magical musical glow that shines brightly enough to lighten the darkest hours of a dimly-lit northern-Euro winter and provide a dose of happiness powerful enough to make this my favorite time of year.Ā Ā Ā
Living in Scotland, we have all been touched by SAD in the dark, dreary months. In the States, though I would not consider my home state mainly sunny, its latitude is far more Southern than St Andrews’. Unsurprisingly, this shift to a world deprived of winter sunlight came with lower serotonin levels, a messed-up circadian rhythm, and an overall increase in my already present anxiety and depression. These environmental factors (along with an admitted lack of consistency in taking my supplements) made SAD a substantial part of my life in my first year at St Andrews. However, after a quick trip to Berlin to see Beabadoobee and Role Model, I returned to Scotland a new woman. So letās break down why.
Music
Scientifically, music, not even necessarily in a live performance or concert-based capacity, has been found to profoundly impact and alleviate stress, anxiety and depression. More specifically, it is especially effective when addressing āsubjective stressā. This form of stress is not biological but rather a perceived feeling of distress, or an internal feeling such as anxiety or worry. Studies have shown that simply listening to music daily lowers subjective stress levels.Ā
Subjective stress is responsible for the kinds of feelings exacerbated by the effects of SAD, and the ones I have found to be the most inhibiting when navigating the dark months. I believe the music I listen to is my mood. During dark winters, I crave quick mood boosts to keep me going. Whether it’s a random desire to listen to reggae entirely in the middle of December or a shift to my Christmas playlist the day after Halloween, listening to the music that gives me joy that day is essential to my mental health. Scientifically, a simple exposure to music every day helps with this, and while I agree, I also believe the other components of concert-going are equally important to my Serotonin Secret.Ā
Travel
As does a daily dose of music, travel too alleviates anxiety and depression. When I travel, I remove myself from the tensions and stress of everyday life for a brief period, improving my mental power, creativity, and alleviating symptoms of SAD. Though not a permanent fix for these symptoms, travel is an easy way to address and relieve anxiety and depression of any kind for a brief period, and even better, itās entirely in your own control.
In my experience, this break from the daily grind has always done the trick. Even going somewhere as close as Glasgow works ā it’s multiple live-music venues offer the perfect weekend or overnight trip experience (bonus points for free travel with the Young Scots card). Enjoying time in a new place, surrounded by friends, and free of the stress associated with school and life, travel inherently comes with mood-boosting activities. The only way to make travel better, in my opinion, is to combine it with live music.Ā
Social Interaction
The community-based element of concert-going is what makes live music essential to my Serotonin Secret. Particularly regarding mental health, live music creates a unique platform where mental health awareness is at ācenter stageā. Sound Mind Live is an organization dedicated to spreading mental health awareness through music, training musicians to talk about the stigma surrounding mental health from the stage. They give the audience resources to āimprove education, awareness, and access to mental health supportsā. On top of the explicit message of mental health awareness from the stage, collective arts-based experiences have been found to decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation.Ā
This, to me, is what makes the concert-going experience truly addictive. Speaking on mental health at their shows creates an open and welcoming environment, forcing me to be conscious of my mental health while at these shows. Thinking intentionally about this as I experience concerts with my friends and thousands of strangers with different backgrounds, I feel a sense of connection, happiness, and gratitude.Ā
As I prepare to head to my second concert of the semester this weekend, I am already looking forward to the built-in mood boost and a fun-filled weekend trip. (In a fun coincidence, the show features the talented and insightful Tyler Childers, who hails from my home state, making this weekās batch of My Serotonin Secret sweeter with just a little taste of home!) My Serotonin Secret is too sweet to remain a secret.Ā So now this little game-changer can be yours too as we navigate the season of SAD.