An art-form powerful enough to prescribe — from ancient traditions to modern neuroscience, we uncover how music, including lullabies, function as a form of medicine.Summary: Music has a unique ability to calm, heal, and bring people together, and lullabies are one of the earliest ways we experience this connection. In this episode, we explore how music affects the brain, reduces stress, and strengthens bonds between caregivers and children. Through science and personal stories, we reflect on the deep emotional power of lullabies and their role in both everyday life and moments of challenge. From ancient traditions to modern research, we uncover why lullabies remain a universal source of comfort.Scroll down for a transcription of this episode. Today’s Guests: ALEXIS CARIELLO is a social worker who was prescribed music to help manage her perinatal anxiety. DR. DANIEL LEVITIN is a neuroscientist, musician, and bestselling author of the books, Music as Medicine: How We Can Harness Its Therapeutic Power and I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music As Medicine.Follow Dr. Levitin on IG: https://www.instagram.com/daniellevitinofficialBringing Lullabies into Everyday LifeYou don’t need to be a professional musician to bring the healing power of music into your caregiving routine. Here are some simple ways to incorporate lullabies into your daily life: Sing, Even If It’s Just for You: Whether you hum a tune while rocking a child to sleep or sing in the shower, music can help regulate emotions and ease stress. Create a Caregiving Playlist: Curate a selection of calming songs that bring comfort and connection. Write Your Own Lullaby: Personalizing a song can be a deeply meaningful way to express love and support. Share the Experience: Singing together can strengthen bonds, whether with a child, a partner, or a classroom of students. Our Caring for Caregivers series is supported by the Van Leer Foundation, an independent Dutch organization working globally to foster inclusive societies where all children and communities can flourish. To discover more insights from Van Leer Foundation and others on this topic, visit Early Childhood Matters, the leading platform for advancing topics on early childhood development and connecting diverse voices and ideas across disciplines that support the wellbeing of babies, toddlers and caregivers around the globe.Music has the power to uplift, soothe, and connect. What lullabies, songs, or musical rituals bring you comfort? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or message us  on Instagram @ScienceOfHappinessPod.Help us share The Science of Happiness! Leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this link with someone who might like the show: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/49svzn4v

How to Do This Practice: Find a Comfortable Space: Choose a place where you feel comfortable moving and making noise. You can do this practice standing or seated, whatever feels best for you. Start with a Basic Clap: Clap your hands together lightly, palm to palm. Keep the pressure soft so it doesn’t hurt. Try a few claps, following a steady rhythm. Add Chest Percussion: After each clap, tap your sternum lightly with your right hand, then with your left hand. Repeat this rhythm several times. Incorporate Leg Taps: Extend the pattern by adding taps on your thighs. Repeat the Full Pattern: Put it all together in a continuous loop— clap, chest (right, left), legs (right, left). Maintain the rhythm and repeat without pauses. Focus on the sensation of movement and sound as a mindful practice. Scroll down for a transcription of this episode.Today’s Happiness Break host:KEITH TERRY is a percussionist and body musician who uses a variety of surfaces to create interesting rhythms.Learn more about Keith Terry: https://tinyurl.com/5av66v5fWatch Keith Terry in action: https://tinyurl.com/299vuw4aRelated Happiness Break episodes:A Humming Technique to Calm Your Nerves: https://tinyurl.com/mr42rzadThe Healing Power of Your Own Touch: https://tinyurl.com/y4ze59h8How to Relax Your Body Through a Standing Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2fv4c9h8Related Science of Happiness episodes:Why Dancing Is The Best Medicine: https://tinyurl.com/y66hxxy9The Science of Humming: https://tinyurl.com/4esyy6ndHow Music Can Bridge Cultures: https://tinyurl.com/5ar3c8yyFollow us on Instagram: @ScienceOfHappinessPodWe’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.Find us on Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapHelp us share Happiness Break! Leave a 5-star review and share this link: https://tinyurl.com/2p9h5aapTranscription: https://tinyurl.com/275tna6h 

Dr. Marisa G. Franco, a psychologist and professor, and Dr. Lauren Brent, an evolutionary biologist, dive into the surprising power of friendships. They discuss how platonic relationships significantly boost our health and happiness, often surpassing even diet and exercise. The conversation highlights the rise of loneliness in today's society and offers practical tips on nurturing connections. Fascinating insights from rhesus macaques illustrate the evolutionary roots of friendship, proving its vital role in both human and animal well-being.

Join a soothing journey to connect with the physical sensations of love through a guided meditation. Feel the warmth in your chest and a gentle relaxation as you recall a time you felt deeply cared for. Visualize love spreading like a warm light throughout your body, enhancing emotional awareness. This practice encourages mindfulness and invites you to bring this loving energy into your daily interactions. Experience the joy of embodying love and discover the connection that's always within you.

Amber and Ben Wallin, a dynamic LA-based couple known for their relatable family and relationship humor on social media, discuss the potential of 36 questions to deepen love and connection. They share how these inquiries range from light-hearted to intensely personal, enhancing emotional intimacy. The duo reflects on their own dating journey and humorous communication mishaps, while emphasizing the crucial role of authentic listening and intentional conversations in fostering strong relationships.

Join Henry Shukman, a poet and mindfulness teacher, as he guides listeners through the transformative concept of original love and interconnectedness. He emphasizes how recognizing our shared experience fosters joy, safety, and belonging. Through a calming meditation, he encourages embracing the loving awareness that binds us to all living beings. Shukman also discusses the importance of strong relationships and the neurochemical bonding that enhances our emotional well-being, inviting everyone to explore their inner connection.

Jenny Wendell shares her journey of navigating communication and intimacy in relationships, emphasizing the transformative power of a seven-day love challenge. She discusses how small, intentional gestures can reignite romance and strengthen bonds. The conversation covers daily practices like meaningful check-ins and heartfelt compliments, and the importance of physical touch. Wendell highlights the challenge's role in alleviating stress and fostering connection, making it a practical tool for couples looking to deepen their relationship.

Spring Washam, a meditation teacher and author of 'The Spirit of Harriet Tubman,' shares insightful practices to cultivate joy. She emphasizes the importance of reflecting on joyful moments and allowing positive emotions to flourish. The discussion highlights 'sympathetic joy,' urging listeners to celebrate the successes of others to amplify their own happiness. Spring's guided meditation enhances mindfulness and gratitude, fostering a belief that joy is limitless, like the stars. It's a delightful call to connection and shared happiness.

Discover how moments of awe can uplift caregivers and enhance family bonds. The discussion highlights practical ways for parents to intentionally incorporate awe through nature and music. Heartfelt anecdotes reveal how shared experiences relieve stress and nurture emotional well-being. Explore the transformative power of intention in parenting and the deeper connections it fosters among family members. The power of awe can cultivate a sense of identity and belonging, enriching both caregiving and personal experiences.

Experience a guided meditation focused on cultivating awe and welcoming new beginnings. Reflect on the beauty of budding plants, intriguing new friendships, and memorable moments that inspire wonder. Engage your senses as you connect with the present, allowing feelings of curiosity and awe to enhance your well-being. This practice encourages you to carry that sense of wonder throughout your day, uplifting your spirit as you embrace all that’s new.