When bad things happen, do you berate yourself or treat yourself with compassion? Do you journal, meditate, or listen to music?

Growing up, Sabrina McKenzie always turned to music to help her through her worst moments.

As she got older and began studying psychology, she realised what she felt when she listened to sad or angry songs ... was self-compassion.

In the field of positive psychology there’s plenty of research on how journalling and meditation can cultivate self-compassion (and plenty of research suggesting self-compassionate people are more mentally and physically healthy).

But Sabrina was shocked to learn there was no research on whether music could cultivate self-compassion. She decided to change that.

Today: the songs that saved Sabrina, and the novel research looking for a link between music and self-compassion. 

This episode touches on the topic of sexual abuse, please take care while listening.

Guest:

Sabrina McKenzieAssociate Lecturer in musicPhD candidate in music psychologyUniversity of Melbourne, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music

Credits:

• Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
• Senior producer: James Bullen
• Producer: Rose Kerr
• Sound engineer: Roi Huberman

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.

Music to listen to:

Why Trust You - Alice Cooper

Now I Can Dance - Tina Arena

This Is Me (Official Audio) — The Greatest Showman Cast

"Saying Goodbye" — Ondara

More information:

Self-compassion as a predictor of interleukin-6 response to acute psychosocial stress

A Systematic Review on Mediation Studies of Self-Compassion and Physical Health Outcomes in Non-Clinical Adult Populations

Exploring the role of music listening in cultivating self-compassion

Support:

Lifeline 13 11 14