Opinions on Sad Music: Does it Help or Hurt?

I’ve done some research on this, and what I found was basically that listening to sad music can lift your mood (especially if you have depression/related mood disorders) but, if you listen to sad music for the purpose of making yourself more sad (aka using sad music to ruminate in your sad/depressed thoughts) then it will indeed make you more sad

I’m similar to you. There’s no universal truth, but research does support that for a large number of people, listening to sad music when sad or angry music when angry can be very cathartic and positive! Feeling seen/validated, less alone, etc, can be very comforting and helpful. But the listener would need to perceive it that way, I guess, for it to work. Most people I know seem to feel this way though. Personally trying to listen to certain kinds of “happy” or “positive” music while upset can just make it worse.

I’m this Academic literary person who spend their life analyzing poetry that have been written by the greatest poets in history. But when it comes to my music choice I go towards the silliest songs with silliest lyrics. I can’t explain

i cant help not listening to sad music too yk? it’s like comfortable for some reason, but sometimes i try to just let myself have one sad song a day to keep my depression at bay. phoebe bridgers hits hard for me

I can totally relate & I’m glad I just saw this because I was just using the bathroom and thought about listening to a sad song by my favorite (Eminem). My middle school counselor told me to never listen to sad songs when you’re sad… but, IMO.. it can help you sort through & express your feelings! It won’t cause you sadness. Listen to what you enjoy!

I used to listen to mostly sad music, back when i was undiagnosed and self medicating… now days some of it is a little sad, but most of it is more hype now. Every once in a while tho i play my sad playlist…

If I listen to sad music it makes me want to keep being sad I guess. Like if this guy has so much and he's still sad what's the point.