3 common misconceptions about sound wellness

We often associate sound wellness with soft, pleasant, or emotionally moving music. A gentle piano melody, a soothing string arrangement, or even our favorite song can feel instantly comforting. But when it comes to the science of relaxation, stress reduction, and overall well-being, the reality is more nuanced. Research increasingly shows that what our brains and bodies respond to physiologically doesn’t always align with what we find pleasurable. Understanding these distinctions allows us to rethink how sound is used in wellness, healthcare, and everyday environments.

Here, we explore 3 common misconceptions about sound wellness, each grounded in scientific findings that may seem counterintuitive at first glance.

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Pleasant sounds are always relaxing: FALSE!

It’s easy to assume that music we find emotionally moving will help us relax. Yet research tells a different story. Strongly pleasurable music, especially the kind that induces chills or frissons, can increase physiological arousal rather than promote relaxation.

Studies by Iwanaga & Moroki (1999) and Beier et al. (2022) show that chills (those goosebump-inducing moments when music deeply moves us) trigger higher skin conductance, faster heart rate, and accelerated breathing. While these responses are pleasurable and engaging, they run counter to the goals of relaxation or cardiac coherence exercises. Sudden crescendos, unexpected harmonies, or dramatic shifts in pitch and loudness can intensify this arousal, making even “calm” music potentially counterproductive in a wellness context.

Interestingly, this effect transcends musical culture. Beier et al. (2022) and Guhn et al. (2007) found that Hindustani classical, traditional Chinese, and Western classical music all produce similar physiological peaks when they contain sudden changes in brightness, roughness, or volume, regardless of a listener’s familiarity with the genre.

The takeaway: pleasure and relaxation are not synonymous. For therapeutic or wellness purposes, music should emphasize moderate, stable acoustic parameters rather than emotional intensity. Calm, consistent tempos, gentle dynamics, and predictable structures promote relaxation more effectively than emotionally charged compositions.

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Only music you like can help you relax: FALSE!

Another common misconception is that listening to music you like is what makes it effective for reducing stress or modulating bodily functions. While preference can influence perceived relaxation, physiology tells a different story.

Research consistently demonstrates that tempo and rhythm are the primary drivers of heart rate, respiration, and even blood pressure. Bernardi et al. (2006) and Gomez & Danuser (2007) show that faster music, particularly with staccato articulation or short attacks, increases heart rate and respiration, regardless of whether the listener enjoys the piece. Conversely, slower music in the range of 55–76 beats per minute reliably slows heart rate and breathing, independent of genre or familiarity.

Even crescendos and sudden volume increases stimulate arousal in a similar way, demonstrating that it’s the mechanics of sound, not the mood or emotional valence of a track, that regulate physiological responses. Etzel et al. (2006) and Iwanaga & Moroki (1999) further reinforce that while preferred music can lower subjective tension, it does not necessarily alter heart rate or respiration.

These effects appear to have universal elements. A cross-cultural study comparing Canadians and Congolese Pygmies found that while tempo effects on heart rate were culture-specific, increases in tempo, pitch, and spectral centroid led to higher skin conductance in both groups (Egermann et al., 2015).

In short: it’s the beat, rhythm, and timing of sound that the body responds to, not whether you personally enjoy it.

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Low-volume sounds are always more relaxing: FALSE!

It may seem intuitive that lower volume promotes relaxation, while loudness provokes stress. Yet research indicates that volume by itself is not the key factor. What matters is the type and quality of the sound.

Nature sounds (like flowing water, birdsong, or rustling leaves) have been repeatedly shown to accelerate stress recovery and improve cognitive performance compared with urban noise at the same volume (Alvarsson et al., 2010; Van Hedger et al., 2018; Song et al., 2023). Participants listening to natural soundscapes experience lower heart rates, report feeling more comfortable and relaxed, and demonstrate faster recovery from stress as measured by skin conductance. Even negative mood states are reduced, while positive mood and cognitive clarity increase.

Crucially, these benefits occur regardless of volume: the calming effect comes from the acoustic characteristics themselves (harmonic richness, temporal consistency, and spectral content) rather than loudness alone. Nature sounds, whether standalone or combined with gentle music, can foster relaxation, focus, and even cardiac coherence. In workplaces, access to natural soundscapes reduces stress and general health complaints (Largo-Wight et al., 2011).

The insight is clear: it’s the intrinsic qualities of sound, not simply its intensity, that influence well-being.

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Rethinking sound wellness for luxury spas and beauty rituals

These findings challenge many assumptions in the luxury wellness market. Spas, high-end resorts, and premium beauty brands often design soundscapes around “pleasant” or emotionally charged music, assuming it will relax clients. Science suggests a more refined approach: careful selection of acoustic parameters, tempo, rhythm, and natural sound elements can significantly enhance the restorative experience.

For luxury spas and beauty rituals, this means that curated sound experiences can go beyond aesthetic enjoyment to actively support relaxation, focus, and emotional balance. Gentle, stable soundscapes with natural elements - water, wind, or birdsong - combined with subtle, slow-tempo musical textures, can accelerate stress recovery, enhance perceived comfort, and elevate the overall sensory impact of treatments.

This research empowers brands to innovate in multi-sensory wellness design: from facial and body treatments to immersive spa environments, every acoustic choice can reinforce the ritual, creating moments that are not only luxurious but scientifically optimized for well-being. By integrating sound science into luxury experiences, brands can differentiate themselves in a market where true relaxation and rejuvenation are premium offerings.

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Sources:

• Alvarsson, J. J., Wiens, S., & Nilsson, M. E. (2010). Stress recovery during exposure to nature sounds versus urban sounds.
• Beier, J., et al. (2022). Chills-inducing music and physiological arousal.
• Bernardi, L., et al. (2006). Tempo, rhythm, and cardiorespiratory synchronization.
• Egermann, H., et al. (2015). Cross-cultural physiological responses to music.
• Guhn, M., et al. (2007). Frisson across musical cultures.
• Iwanaga, M., & Moroki, Y. (1999). Preferred vs. relaxing music: physiological effects.
• Song, M., et al. (2023). Nature sounds and mood regulation.
• Van Hedger, S. C., et al. (2018). Cognitive benefits of natural acoustic environments.

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