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Make a Playlist

Create a go-to collection that matches your mood and activity

By

Staying Sharp

Updated April 21, 2023

Updated April 21, 2023

A man with headphones on his head dancing at home

svetikd/Getty Images

Quick Win

Harness the power of music to boost energy, ease stress or lift your mood. Technology makes it easy.

Try This Today

What vibe are you after? Do you want a playlist that relaxes you, powers you up for a walk, sparks living-room dance parties or just makes you happy? Pick one theme to start with.
Plan your lineup. Streaming services, like Spotify or Pandora, make it easy to find old favorites and explore new music.
Easier than a mixed tape. What used to take hours — or was it days — now takes no time. Creating a playlist on your phone is a snap. (If you get stuck, ask a tech-savvy friend.)

Why

You probably know from experience that listening to music can put a smile on your face, help you relax and trigger meaningful memories from the past. Scientists have delved into these and other ways that music can affect our brains and enhance our lives. Research suggests that music stimulates many areas of the brain and may help to enhance well-being, ease stress and improve mood, according to a 2020 report from the Global Council on Brain Health, “Music on Our Minds.”

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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