Have you ever been to New York City? What's your strongest memory of being there? Do you remember the sounds? Do you remember any music playing? Perhaps over the intercom in a store or from a street performer? Or perhaps you saw a show on Broadway or went to a live concert. Some of the strongest memories we will ever experience are directly linked to sounds and music. It is a phenomenon we call music nostalgia and is the ultimate secret to creating memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Human beings are incredibly nostalgic. Music stimulates several areas of the brain, from emotion, to memory, to movement. It can also release feel-good neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. I have a list of songs that every time I listen to it, I am transported away and taken back to the places I've visited and the memories that were created there.
For example, I cannot think of New York City without hearing the song Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys. The first time I was flying into New York City, I was listening to my music with headphones and THIS song was playing. Even though I had heard the song many time before, it took on a completely different meaning and it felt like electricity shooting through my veins as I listened to the lyrics while looking out over the vast "concrete jungle" below me. It was transformative. It was powerful. I encourage you to listen to this song the next time you fly into NYC. Or better yet, walk down the streets of New York with headphones in while blasting this song. Perhaps it may have the same effect on you. Or perhaps it will be a different song that resonates with you.
Every place I visit, I seem to always have a moment when I hear something that transforms me and seals me to that place, that moment, binding me to that memory forever. I encourage you to discover those moments and memories for yourself. Never travel without music. For you will cherish those memories even stronger for the rest of your life. What places and music have transformed you? I would LOVE to hear all about them! Please comment below and tell me what travel nostalgic memories you have created.
If you're looking for new music to discover, feel free to check out my playlists of Spotify. I love My Epic Covers playlist, which are incredible songs that have been recreated in a different light. Or listen to My Guilty Pleasures for an eclectic variety. Happy listening! Oh, and I'm always searching for new songs to add to my playlists. So if you know of any good ones, I'm all ears!