Switching Styles is proud to present “Smells Like Teen Spirit” cover songs for its readers. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is a revolutionary, legendary song that undoubtedly affected a generation and, naturally, their children. This was the first single from Nirvana’s seminal album, “Nevermind,” released in 1991. Nirvana and the grunge movement were propelled into the public as this song quickly became an anthem for the disenchanted. Kurt Cobain’s (lead singer & guitarist) passionate vocals, distorted guitars, and raw, explosive energy perfectly encapsulated the anger and disillusionment of the time. Photo by Jc Siller on In the early 1990s, Nirvana’s iconic anthem, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” broke down barriers and revolutionized the music industry. It was a turning point in the development of alternative music because of its contagious energy, rebellious spirit, and genre-influencing sound. Their music, along with the music of Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Hole, PJ Harvey, Soundgarden, and Mark Lanegan, was the face of grunge music in the nineties. Introducing Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a ’90s alternative rock grunge classic with an impressive guitar riff and penetrating vocals that send a rebellious message. It still resonates with listeners today. The song possesses a dynamic structure that effortlessly transitions from subdued verses to explosive choruses, evoking an unmistakable feeling of anticipation and relief. Dave Grohl’s (drummer) vigorous and lively drumming, coupled with Krist Novoselic’s (bassist) rumbling bassline, provides a sturdy foundation. The distorted guitars unleash a wave of sound that embodies the restlessness and disappointment of generations searching for purpose. Artists from all genres have paid respect to this timeless gem, each supplying their distinctive rendition. This article explores the fascinating world of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” cover versions and shows how many musicians have captured the raw spirit of Nirvana’s ground-breaking song. The lyrics of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” aptly capture the complex emotions of angst and societal disillusionment. Cobain’s cryptic language successfully portrays a sense of rebellion and detachment that strongly resonates with young people trying to find their place in the world. The song’s relatable themes and anthemic quality have made it a generational anthem that strongly resonates with listeners. Covering Nirvana’s Hit Single One of the most fascinating aspects of cover songs lies in the opportunity for genre crossovers. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” has been reimagined by artists spanning a broad musical spectrum. As these covers show, grunge anthems can mix things up. Sometimes they will throw in some techno elements like Witchz or some intense beats in a ravers version. Then, at other times, you might hear some old rhythms woven in there with the Latin. It is impressive how musicians can blend all those distinctive styles. These genre-bending renditions best exemplify the song’s worldwide appeal and the adaptability of its underlying message. Photo by Sebastian Ervi on These renditions of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana show the wide range of artistic interpretations and liberties that have been taken while reinterpreting the song, demonstrating that the song’s influence extends beyond its grunge roots and permeates many different musical genres and styles. ‘“Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover songs playlist. Music enthusiasts worldwide have reacted well to “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Hearing cover songs that put a new and unexpected spin on the original is always impressive. Musicians from different genres tackle classics like “Smells Like Teen Spirit” with fearless and creative approaches, adding their unique style and sonic landscapes. These covers range from haunting acoustic versions to bold electronic adaptations, offering fresh perspectives that respect the original while breathing new life into the song. Check them out. Pick out your top two and tag us on your favourite social networks! “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover By Midnite String Quartet Cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Patti Smith Cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Sofia Karlberg “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover By Malia J. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover By Tori Amos ‘“Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover By The Xorcist Band “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover By 8 Bit Universe ‘“Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover By The Muppets (2011) “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Cover By Fame On Fire ‘“Smells Like Teen Spirit” cover by Violet Orlandi Honourable Parody mentions. Although we could not incorporate every individual’s preferred choice, we kindly suggest you share your recommendations with us on our social media channels, particularly Twitter. As an honourable mention of these cover songs, here is ‘Weird Al Yankovic’s parody, ‘Smells like nirvana.’ The Conclusion “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is more than just a song; it is a cultural touchstone that drastically altered the music industry. With its uncontrolled energy, contagious choruses, and reflective lyrics, the song has a perpetual attraction that connects with advancing audiences. Its tremendous influence on popular culture cannot be exaggerated, as it had a lasting impact on the development of rock music and functioned as a catalyst for the influential grunge movement. Hey! Thank you to all our fantastic readers. Your support means everything to us and motivates us to create content that we hope you find interesting and entertaining. We love exploring the music world and sharing our thoughts and experiences with you. And, of course, we appreciate the sense of community we have built together. Thanks for being a part of the Switching Styles fam!

We’ve got your lullaby playlist! Lullabies are a well-loved tradition in many cultures worldwide and have been used to put babies to sleep for centuries. Infants and adults seeking relaxation and security can find solace in these soothing songs. Photo by Dương Nhân on The human brain requires sleep to function correctly. When you don’t get enough sleep, these toxins build up in your brain and cause various health issues. Sleep deprivation causes this accumulation to continue. Research from the National Institute of Health shows that a chronic lack of sleep or inadequate quality sleep increases the risk of disorders, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity. Lullaby Playlist Curated by Yours Truly! Photo by Aditya Bose on We explore some lullabies that will put you to sleep below. Many excellent selections are provided by Switching Styles for listening to while you sleep. Aside from sleep, this playlist is perfect for anything that calls for a calming environment, such as colouring, playing video games, and much more. We’ve compiled a selection for those who want a lullaby to help them sleep. These will ease your mind’s tension, regardless of whether you’re dealing with stress, mental health problems, insomnia, drinking too much coffee, or not enough stuffed animals. Here are a few of our top lullabies to get you to sleep. “The Last Unicorn” Covered By Priscilla Hernandez, Originally by Jimmy Webb from The Last Unicorn. “Love Fool” Lullaby Cover by Rock N’ Roll Baby Music, Originally By The Cardigans. “The Nowhere King” Slow And Reverbed Remix By Toastbro, Originally Written By Megan Nicole Dong And Toby Chu For Centaurworld. “Edge Of Night (Pippin’s Song)” Covered By Alina Gingertail, Originally From The Lord Of The Rings With Lyrics By J.R.R Tolkien And The Tune Written By Billy Boyd. “River Lullaby” Covered By Pris Cucci, Originally Amy Grant From The Prince Of Egypt. “All The Pretty Little Horses (Hush-A-Bye)” Mother/Pregnant Daughter Duet By Lauren Paley. “The Willow Maid” Originally By Erutan and Kate Covington. “Flightless Bird, American Mouth” Covered By Paul Osam, Originally By Iron & Wine. “My Beloved Monster” Covered By Kristoffer Skjørestad, Originally By The Eels. “Talking To The Moon” Covered By Zara Lillie, Originally By Bruno Mars. Final Thoughts on The Switching Styles’ Lullaby Playlist. Sometimes it is hard to fall asleep when the world is too loud or not loud enough. Relaxing with music is a beautiful way to settle down before bed, making it easier to fall asleep and sleep deeply. Both are crucial. Sleep is more important to your mental and physical health than most people realize. Everything from the blood vessels to the digestive system, the immune system to your brain, uses sleep for repair. In conclusion, a playlist of lullabies can be an excellent tool for creating a peaceful and relaxing environment, whether trying to soothe a fussy baby or unwind after a long day. With the rich history and diverse range of lullabies from diverse cultures and time periods, there’s no shortage of beautiful and calming songs. So, whether you’re looking to lull a little one to sleep or need to destress, consider creating your playlist of lullabies and let the soothing melodies guide you into a peaceful slumber. Photo by Marek Piwnicki on References For many of our articles, we have included a reference list to help add credibility, support, accountability, and further reading for our readers. In general, including references in a blog post is essential to creating a high-quality, informative, and credible content. Here are the references that switching styles author Dylanna Fisher has used for background research in this article. Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. (2023). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Https://Www.Ninds.Nih.Gov/Health-Information/Public-Education/Brain-Basics/Brain-Basics-Understanding-Sleep ‌Burrai F, Apuzzo L, Zanotti R. Effectiveness of Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation on Gait in Parkinson’s Disease. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Holistic Nursing Practice. June 11, 2021. Chantawong N, Charoenkwan K. Effects of Music Listening During Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure on Pain and Anxiety: A Randomized Trial. Journal Of Lower Genital Tract Disease. 207;21(4):307-310. De Witte M, Spruit A, Van Hooren S, Et Al. Effects Of Music Interventions On Stress-Related Outcomes: A Systematic Review And Two Meta-Analyses. Health Psychology Review. 2020;14(2):294-324. Jespersen KV, Koenig J, Jennum P, et al. Music For Insomnia In Adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015;(8):CD010459. Accessed At Https://Www.Cochranelibrary.Com On October 29, 2021 Ko SY, Leung DYP, Wong EML. Effects Of Easy Listening Music Intervention on Satisfaction, Anxiety, And Pain in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2019; 14:977-986.

It’s interesting to reach out to people and ask them about the Music in the world around them. We’ve talked to local Edmonton artists, LARPers, librarians, and cover artists. But what about a Star Trek fan that doesn’t like Music? Meet Melvin Marsh. Photo by Lisa Fotios on Introducing Melvin Marsh We got in touch with Melvin Marsh, MS CHt CAHA, a huge Star Trek fan but not a huge music fan. He is a certified hypnotherapist in Augusta, Georgia, focusing on fear, anxiety, and medical hypnosis. You may be asking, ‘Why interview someone who doesn’t like music?’. We understand that it may be strange that switching styles is interviewing someone that doesn’t like Music, and even Melvin himself considered it odd, saying, “As I said before, asking a person who hates music about music is not going to give you the answers you likely are wanting”. Switching Styles aims to connect with the world around you to bring you as much interesting and obscure musical information and that includes folks that don’t particularly enjoy Music. It’s not actually that rare, nor is it a symptom of something else. A group of researchers in Spain published findings in an edition of Current Biology, terming this condition “musical anhedonia,” a medical way of saying that someone doesn’t Music. These were generally healthy and content individuals who just don’t like Music and don’t react autonomically to it. However, the same individuals responded to other types of reward systems. “The idea that people can be sensitive to one type of reward and not to another suggests that there might be different ways to access the reward system and that, for each person, some ways might be more effective than others,” explains one of the researchers, Josep Marco-Pallarés of the University of Barcelona. In conclusion, Music is a subjective concept, and there’s a wide range of thoughts and experiences. Check out Switching Styles for more in-depth interviews revolving around the world of Music in all its facets. Interview between Melvin Marsh and Dylanna Fisher Melvin has been interviewed by top podcasts, including the famous Adam Eason of Hypnosis Weekly and is much in demand as a speaker and teacher, presenting in 2021 to the Georgia Psychological Association. Below is an interview with Melvin about his thoughts on the Star Trek universe, the purpose of Music in the series and the use of Music throughout Star Trek. Could you tell me a bit about yourself? [Melvin Marsh] I am an aerospace research scientist specializing in psychology who does extensive freelance work in TV, radio, film, and theatre, going back nearly 40 years. I’ve won a few awards for art (as a director) and science. I tell people I try to make science fiction a reality. How did you first get introduced to Star Trek? [Melvin Marsh] One of my earliest memories was Star Trek TOS being on in my house in the early 80s as my parents watched sci-fi. When I was about 3 (circa 1984), I remember watching “And the Children Shall Lead” and freaked out so bad at Uhura stressing out and then Gorgan’s appearance deteriorating that I would never watch Trek again until I was 6th grade and 11 and was introduced to TNG accidentally. We had this little subscription that came in every week or every month in our Reading class. Sometimes, they had little plays in it. They had an abbreviated version of the TNG episode “True Q” (season 6), which was going to air, and we read the script aloud. I fell in love with Q and Data. Then I found out it was a “new” Star Trek, and the TV Guide showed TNG airing 1-3 times a night, every weeknight, on different stations, so I caught up surprisingly fast and never really lost. So, I’ve considered myself a Trekkie since about 1993. It was an inspiration to get my MS in Space Studies. Do you have a favourite character? [Melvin Marsh] I have multiple favourites since I watch all the shows. Some of the characters are hard to compare across series. Guest Star (regardless of series): Q Star Trek the Original Series (TOS) & Star Trek: The Animated Series (TAS): Uhura when I was young, then it went to Spock. In the Reboot / Kelvin Series, I prefer McCoy. Star Trek; The Next Generation (TNG): Data Deep Space Nine (DS9): Bashir and Odo (Honorable mention for Guest Star: Garak) Star Trek: Voyager (VOY): Started off as Neelix, but then ended up more EMH Enterprise (ENT): Phlox Star Trek: Discovery (DIS): Varies by season. Season 1: Lorca, then Stamets. Season 2, Pike then Stamets. In season 3-4, Culber then Stamets. (Honorable mention for Guest Star: Reno) Picard (PIC): The Rios Holograms. Seriously… all of them. The actor has some serious talent. Star Trek: Lower Decks (LD): Boimler (I think because I am too much like him!) Star Trek: Prodigy (PRO): Too early to say, but I’m leaning towards the following 3: Zero, Jankom Pog, and Murf. What are your thoughts on the theme song? [Melvin Marsh] It is one of the only theme songs across any TV or film that I can immediately recognize or could hum. It is very energetic and upbeat, but that could also be because TNG is the Federation and Starfleet at its peak (especially looking back on the other series and what is to come, i.e., Dominion War, the attack on Mars, and further out the Burn and near destruction of the UFP). How does the Music add to the series? [Melvin Marsh] I am unaware of much other Music in the series. Obviously, the characters do play instruments. I am much more aware of the different Music in Star Trek Online as they use different musical sound cues to let you know what is going on. But even then, it is only a few notes. Why is Music important when it comes to television shows? [Melvin Marsh] This question makes the assumption that Music is important in TV, and it’s really not. One could remove most Music from the average TV show, and there would not be much difference. I’ve done theatre, film, and for my entire life, and both parents (and a grandparent) worked in the entertainment industry. With Music, people are trying to make you feel a certain way, which can also be done via set or lighting to enhance mood. The actors should play a part as well. Often, additional Music is added when they do not think an actor is conveying emotion enough. Many people just find it annoying and overbearing. It’s no different than a laugh track. In what ways does Star Trek portray emotions without Music? [Melvin Marsh] Star Trek uses lights, non-music sound, and actor inflection like everyone else. You can also make the argument for makeup. There is very little Music associated with the Borg that I can remember, but one can tell by the lighting, their voice, location, and makeup that they are scary. The Music of Star Trek (outside of the themes and some of the scenes in Star Trek 2009) do not even register in my mind. Photo by Joel Santos on Check out other Switching Styles interviews to learn how people interact with Music.

Beat that procrastination with these high-energy songs. Everyone has been there. It’s crunch time. You’ve done all the procrastination you can. Maybe it’s a school assignment that has only your name and date on it so far. Or maybe it’s paperwork to complete for your work. Maybe it’s a huge presentation you’re hoping will launch your career. Time To Overcome Procrastination! The fact that you looked up this article and started reading it is your sign that it’s time to get your to-do list done. There are a lot of tips and tricks to combat procrastination as well as prevent it. Procrastination happens. Make sure you know how to help yourself when it happens. The first and most important tip for beating procrastination is to give yourself compassion and patience. Give yourself some slack and move forward calmly and with forgiveness. Tips For Overcoming Procrastination. Whether it’s putting off work, chores, or personal goals, procrastination is a common issue many struggle with. It can be challenging to break the cycle of procrastination, but many strategies can make you more productive. In this article, we’ll look at some practical methods for overcoming procrastination so you can start working toward your objectives. Below we’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to fight against procrastination. Photo by ThisIsEngineering on If you have any suggestions for procrastination, let us know or tag us on Twitter @Styleswitching! Crunch Time Set aside some time each day. Even 10 minutes is enough to work on a project. During that time, you only do things that have been stressing you out. Even if it is not a ‘priority task,’ if it has been a cause of stress, spend time working towards its completion. This could be as simple as replying to an email or removing the garbage. Make A List Make a list of things that need to be done, and then list what you want to do instead of those things. Alternate doing one task from each list. Set yourself a timer if that helps to switch between the tasks. Accountability Buddy An accountability buddy is someone that will hold you accountable for doing a particular task. An accountability buddy, for example, could be a co-worker that you both leave at the same time to avoid working late or a gym buddy with whom you regularly go together to work out. The reason these works is due to our brain’s reward system. Keep A To-Do List Prioritize the list and then list out the steps for each of them. Then do the first step of the first one. It might be a small step, but it’s still a step! This can help keep you organized and visualize your tasks as you finish them. Group Procrastination Get together with other procrastinators in a focused anti-procrastination group. This is common among students, writers, and artists during tight deadlines and high procrastination. One way to do this would be to meet in a local café, library, or university and work on various projects together. You can add specific spins if they would work better for your group, such as a list or roundtable about who’s working on what. Another example would be that everyone puts in a loonie or a dollar bill in the centre of the table. Whoever finishes their task first gets the loonies. Another option is that the first person to finish then helps the others to complete their tasks, and at the end everyone goes out for dinner. Tell A Friend Your Plans For The Day Having a group, friend, or someone there physically or virtually is a beautiful way to combat procrastination. “Telling people that we’re going to get something done can powerfully amplify the appeal of actually taking action because our brain’s reward system is so highly responsive to our social standing,” explains Caroline Webb of the Harvard Business Review. Music Playlists To Avoid Procrastination. Below is a playlist for your ‘Get stuff done’ day. When lo-fi covers help you focus but don’t help you stay away, get a heavier beat to sharpen your focus. Below we have some high-energy songs for you in our Beat Procrastination Playlist! “Poké & Chill” By Gamechops “Cleaning With Mikey (TMNT 2012 Inspired Ambience)” By Take A Breath Ambience “80’s Horror Synthwave” By White Bat Audio. “New Evil Morty Theme Song” By Froxal “Tales From The Crypt” By Remix Maniacs. “The Working Dead” Covered By Jellzy, Originally By Kate Micucci From Steven Universe “All The Way” Jacksepticeye Songify Remix By Schmoyoho “Get Your Shit Together” is a Rick And Morty Remix Song By Royishgoodlooks. “We Are Number One” Remixed By The Living Tombstone, Originally Composed By Máni Svavarsson And Performed By Stefán Karl Stefánsson (Robbie Rotten) From Lazytown. Of course, we’re unable to get everyone’s favourites onto this list. Please share your favourites on our social media! Final Thoughts Switching Styles is here to bring you what you need from a playlist in your day-to-day life. Whether you’ve got a midterm coming up, spring cleaning, or an important group presentation with Gary, who’s always late but brings the best PowerPoint presentations, here are a few song suggestions to help you get the vibe up. Photo by Blue Bird on Thank you for supporting switching styles. Not only are you reading content written by one of our writers, but you’re also supporting the publication itself. The more you read, the more we create! Let us know in the comments what tips and tricks you find helpful regarding procrastination.

Switching Styles is providing Music to Help You Fall Asleep. Relaxing with music is a beautiful way to settle down before bed, making it easier to fall asleep and sleep deeply. They are both essential. People underestimate how crucial sleep is for both physical and mental health. Sleep is necessary to repair all bodily functions, including the immune system, digestive system, and brain. The Importance of Sleep We all know that sleep is essential, but do you understand why it’s so important? It’s important because of the biological processes we need as humans. The National Institute of Health explains that “Quality sleep – and getting enough of it at the right times — is as essential to survival as food and water. Without sleep, you can’t form or maintain the pathways in your brain that let you learn and create new memories, and it’s harder to concentrate and respond quickly”. Photo by Marcus Aurelius on This is because when you sleep, your body repairs itself. “There are certain repair processes that occur in the body mostly, or most effectively, during sleep,” explains Dr. Kenneth Wright, Jr., a sleep researcher at the University of Colorado. “If you don’t sleep enough, those processes will be disturbed.” Using Music to Help You Fall Asleep Need soundscapes to help you fall asleep? You are not alone. Countless folks require some kind of noise to fall asleep due to several distinct reasons. In a Plos One survey, the majority (62%) of survey respondents use music to help them fall asleep. Additionally, the research found that “Music has many promising neurological and physiological effects that may be indicative of its effective use in the fight against sleep loss. In some clinical populations listening to music has been suggested to reduce anxiety and the subjectively negative effects of physical pain”. Finding a routine that works for you is crucial because music may not always be effective. The results of a 2021 systematic review of sixteen studies involving 812 older adults with sleep problems produced conflicting findings; some studies supported the efficacy of music interventions, while others did not. “Studies into music’s efficacy as a sleep aid have used subjective self-report and occasionally objective measures such as actigraphy and polysomnography. Most have been conducted in clinical populations, such as individuals with chronic insomnia or patients in hospital settings. For example, Chang et al. demonstrated that listening to music for 45 minutes before sleep for four days reduced stage 2 sleep duration while extending REM sleep in adults with chronic insomnia. Research by Chen et al. supported these findings in a group of young adults. Individuals with a long sleep latency (10 minutes or longer) saw a shorter stage 2 sleep and a longer deep sleep with sedative music playing for the first hour the participant was in bed”. Keep in mind that listening to music to fall asleep isn’t always a magic fix. Music is just one option. There are a lot of other considerations. If you can not fall asleep consistently or sleep more than 9 hours a night without feeling refreshed, there may be more to it, such as an underlying medical condition. Contact your doctor. Photo by Min An on Relaxing Music Playlist for Sleeping Relaxing before bed is one of the best tips to get a good night’s sleep. A 2015 Cochrane systematic review of 6 studies involving a total of 314 participants with insomnia found that music-based interventions may be effective in improving subjective sleep quality in adults with insomnia. “I’ve been doing research on music and emotion for about two decades now. One of the things we’ve found strong empirical support for is the idea that listening to music can regulate stress”, said Frank Russo, psychology professor at Ryerson and director of SMART Lab. For maximum effect, incorporate some downtime before bed into your routine. Some of our favourite soundscapes for slumber are listed below. These will help calm your mind so you can relax, regardless of the cause: stress, mental health problems, insomnia, too much coffee, or not enough stuffed animals. You can choose from various excellent options on the Switching Styles’ list to listen to while you sleep. “Epic Fantasy Music – Ascension” By Brunuhville “Epic Fantasy Music – Watcher in The Water” By Fantasy & World Music by The Fiechters “D&D Ambience – Catacombs” By Sword Coast Soundscapes “Stunning Astro Lapse Scenes + Relaxing Music for Deep Sleep & Relaxation” By Nature Relaxation Films. “Mighty Vibes Vol 4: Lofi Beats for Best Buddies to Listen To” By Critical Role Final Thoughts for Music to Help You Fall Asleep With these songs and soundscapes, it is time to join the land of dreams. Thank you for supporting switching styles today. Your readership helps us continue writing and creating content for you, our audience. Good night and sleep tight! References Our writers need to back up what we say with trusted resources. As with any online source, please do your research and don’t take anything online at face value, even us! ‌Good. (2021, March 29). Good Sleep for Good Health. NIH News in Health. Https://Newsinhealth.Nih.Gov/2021/04/Good-Sleep-Good-Health Kira Vibe Jespersen, Koenig, J., Poul Jennum, & Vuust, P. (2015). Music For Insomnia in Adults. The Cochrane Library, 2015(11). Https://Doi.Org/10.1002/14651858.Cd010459.Pub2 ‌Nilsson U. The Anxiety- And Pain-Reducing Effects of Music Interventions: A Systematic Review. AORN J [Internet]. 2008;87(4):780–807. Https://Www.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/Pubmed/18395022 10.1016/J.Aorn.2007.09.013 Trahan, T., Durrant, S., Müllensiefen, D., & Williamson, V. (2018). The Music That Helps People Sleep and The Reasons They Believe It Works: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Online Survey Reports. PLOS ONE, 13(11), E0206531–E0206531. Https://Doi.Org/10.1371/Journal.Pone.0206531 ‌Xie, L., Kang, H., Xu, Q., Michael, Liao, Y.-H., Meenakshisundaram Thiyagarajan, O’Donnell, J. S., Christensen, D. H., Nicholson, C., Iliff, J. J., Takano, T., & Deane, R. (2013). Sleep Drives Metabolite Clearance from The Adult Brain. Science, 342(6156), 373–377. Https://Doi.Org/10.1126/Science.1241224 ‌Your Guide to Healthy Sleep. (2011, January 8). NHLBI, NIH. Https://Www.Nhlbi.Nih.Gov/Resources/Your-Guide-Healthy-Sleep

Do you need background noise or Ambient Soundscapes for sleep or napping? You are not alone. Many people need some noise to go to sleep. An ambient soundscape is a sound environment. It is intended to evoke a particular feeling or mood. These are are designed to sound familiar or connected to particular events and places, both real and fictional. Next, these soundscapes often feature natural or synthesized sounds that blend to create a continuous, immersive background sound. Photo by Kamaji Ogino on Ambient soundscapes are used in a variety of contexts. These range from music production to film scoring to meditation and relaxation techniques. They are often characterized by their subtle, understated qualities. Because of this the style can range from tranquil and serene to eerie and unsettling. The ones below are used for all kinds, including relaxation, background music, and even ambiance music for your next Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) game. Don’t hesitate and check out some music down below. Playlist of Ambient Soundscapes for Sleep Next, it’s time for music. Below we’ve recommended our top favorite soundscapes for slumber. These will help calm your mind. You can relax regardless of the cause—stress, mental health issues, insomnia, drinking too much coffee, or not enough stuffed animals. Below are some of our top ambiance soundtracks just for you! “TNG Bridge Night Shift Ambience” Star Trek Sleep Sounds By Ender4life. It is the night shift on the bridge, and everything is calm and secure. There is certainly calm over the ship. It is undoubtedly a wonderful time to relax. Take a deep breath and go to sleep, knowing that the universe is safe. “D&D Ambience – Generic Dungeon” By Sword Coast Soundscapes. Are you tired after a day of pillaging the underground dungeons? Settle into your sleeping bag and rest. Whether you need to regenerate your health or your spell slots or pass the time until the party is ready, this is an excellent ambiance for a dungeoneer prepared for sleep. “Minecraft Relaxing Music and Rain For 10 Hours | Sleep, Study, & Relax | Rain & Visuals” By Sound It’s time to relax within the blocky walls of your home, away from zombies and creepers and other random weirdness. You are safe and sound, lulled to sleep by the piano tunes, the falling rain, and the soft glow of the fireplace. As a side note, whoever made the house for the Minecraft background did an exceptionally excellent job! It looks amazing. “Set in a cozy cabin in the taiga forest with aesthetic shaders for the best relaxing experience. Loops the entire day and night cycle with constant rain that lasts you all night. Good for studying, sleeping, relaxing, chilling, and meditating. The sound and the visuals create a nice calm and cozy atmosphere”, as the creator, Sound, describes the video. “Fantasy Lo-Fi Music for Study and Chill” By Blue Turtle Take a deep breath and exhale into a calm space. Blue Turtles lo-fi remix is a great accompaniment to meditation or mindfulness activities right before falling asleep. It’s time to take a relaxing break for your body and mind. “Quiet New Age Soundscapes – Vibe for Bhakti Yoga” By Amazing Yoga Music Relax in sleep with a new-age soundscape that helps your mind calm and recharge. Take a deep breath and go to sleep, knowing your space is calm. Since this artist specifically designed this for yoga and meditation, it’s sure to get you relaxed. “2 Hours of Fantasy Music” By Adrian Von Ziegler Do not let the adventure end. Keep the adventurous tone in your dreams with these fantastic tunes by Adrian von Ziegler. Although it may be a bit more exciting in terms of the other soundscapes, this can help get your mind and body ready for tomorrow’s adventure. “Summer Ambience at Mount St Helens – #2” By Nature Soundscapes Did you know that natural sounds are among the most popular noises to fall asleep to? Usually, it is animals, wind, or water. In this video, we cover all three of them. Float away from the day’s stress with soothing waves and relaxing bird chirps. This is a great video to help lull you to sleep because of it’s beautiful and soft sounds. “Our filmmaker Roman travelled to Mount St. Helen 5 years ago. On the way back at the end of the shooting day, this amazing view opened to him. The decision to remove this pristine beauty and create a loop for relaxation was instant and quite understandable. Just look how lovely it is around here! The measured splash of lake water is heard brightly and distinctly. Voiced birds illuminate the flowering land with their songs. Daisies and sage cover the shore of the lake with a white and purple carpet. The sounds of nature and the stunning 4K image make this video the perfect backdrop to relax and feel great,” describes the creator,Nature Soundscapes. Final Thoughts About Ambient Soundscapes for Sleep An easy and efficient way to encourage relaxation, enhance the quality of your sleep, and improve your general well-being is to include ambient sounds in your bedtime routine. In addition, these sounds help to create a peaceful environment that promotes both mental and physical rest. By incorporating ambient sounds into your nighttime ritual, you can significantly improve your overall sleep experience. Furthermore, many people find that these soundscapes effectively ease anxiety and stress, especially after a long day. For instance, ambient soundscapes are designed to evoke specific moods and feelings, often using a blend of natural and synthesized sounds. Additionally, they are widely used in a variety of contexts, from relaxation to gaming, as they help set the tone for a calming atmosphere. A range of recommended soundtracks, such as “TNG Bridge Night Shift Ambience” and “Minecraft Relaxing Music,” are particularly effective for enhancing sleep or meditation. As a result, incorporating these soundscapes into your nightly routine can provide numerous benefits, making it easier to unwind and drift off to sleep despite the daily stressors. Now that you’ve been introduced to the topic of ambient sounds for sleep, which one was your favorite? Photo by Rachel Claire on

“Positive Mental Attitude,” or PMA for short, is a kind of outlook on life. The sentiment behind PMA has a positive attitude that’s positive (duh) and healthy positivity (Sorry about the duh). This is frequently linked to various sports and athletic endeavours, self-help, and personal development movements. It is a way of life that emphasizes how crucial it is always to have a positive frame of mind and outlook on life. Photo by Bekka Mongeau on In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to get started with a positive mental attitude, including the following: An explanation of PMA, A list to add more positivity to your life. A list of positive affirmations A playlist of upbeat and motivating music. Introducing Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) According to PMA theory, our thoughts and attitudes significantly impact our feelings. We can overcome challenges, achieve our goals, and lead more fulfilling lives by maintaining a positive outlook. According to a study in the December 2005 issue of Psychological Bulletin, success does not necessarily lead to happiness. Instead, the happiest people owe their success, in part, to their optimism and positive outlook, according to a study of more than 275,000 people. Dr. Lyubomirsky, the head researcher of UC Riverside, concluded: “When people feel happy, they tend to feel confident, optimistic, and energetic, and others find them likeable and friendly. Happy people can thus benefit from these perceptions (December 2005 issue of Psychological Bulletin). Photo by Helena Lopes on PMA urges people to keep their attention on the positive aspects of their lives, practice gratitude and optimism, and approach problems from the perspective of finding solutions. The survey by OnePoll with The Original Donut Shop Coffee revealed that four out of five people think that positive thinking can improve their lives and help them start the day off right. However, more than half (69%) wish they could be more positive. Why does PMA work? Folks need to have a positive mental attitude or outlook on life. Also known as a self-fulfilling prophecy, being positive helps you stay positive. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that partly comes true because of the forecast itself. If you think everything is terrible, chances are they will be awful. On the other hand, if you think things will be fantastic, chances are they will be. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a belief or expectation about what will happen in the future that affects our actions, increasing the likelihood that the prediction will come true. In other words, a self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that, despite initially possibly not being true, comes to pass because of our actions as if they were. Photo by Tara Winstead on For instance, if someone feels uncomfortable speaking in front of others, they may become anxious and nervous, resulting in mistakes and subpar performance. This perpetuates the cycle by furthering their perception that they lack public speaking skills and might lead them to shun future speaking engagements. The opposite also happens. If you are confident and excited about public speaking, your confidence shows through your words and body language resulting in higher perceived charisma and energy. Positivity or negativity, self-fulfilling prophecies can significantly impact our lives. Our beliefs, expectations, attitudes, and perceptions can influence outside influences such as social norms and stereotypes. We can take action to alter our behaviour and thoughts and forge a more promising and fulfilling future for ourselves by becoming aware of how our self-fulfilling prophecies affect us. PMA Actions Positive Affirmations Here are some positive affirmations you can write on a card to a loved one, say aloud to yourself as you look in the mirror, or keep on hand when you need a pick-me-up. You can start with the standard affirmations in the list below. Examine how they affect you and adjust as you go. There is no one right way to affirm your worth. I love myself as I am today. I choose to be kind to myself. I am my own best friend. There is value in my presence, both alone and as a friend. I have inherent value, and it is natural to love myself. I adore every aspect of who I am. I appreciate all the ways that I am unique. Here are some of the unique traits that I love…. I deserve respect and love. I can achieve my goals. I am grateful for all the blessings in my life. I trust in my abilities and decisions. I am confident and self-assured. I am surrounded by positive energy and abundance. I choose to focus on the good in my life. I deserve happiness and fulfilment. I have worked very hard for success in my life. I am a good friend. I am improving every day. I have brilliant and creative ideas that are worth sharing. I am an unstoppable force of nature. I am pleased with myself that I have come this far. Photo by Eva Bronzini on Positive Affirmations From Celebrities It’s okay if you don’t like my options. Here are some affirmations from your favourite public figures, writers, and celebrities. “The chance to love and be loved exists no matter where you are,” said Oprah Winfrey in the February 2004 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine. “Open your heart and drink in the glorious day” comes from Heather Havrilesky’ book How to Be a Person in the World. “Am I good enough? Yes I am,” wrote former First Lady Michelle Obama in her New York Times bestselling memoir Becoming. “I am deliberate and afraid of nothing,” wrote the prominent American poet and activist in The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde. “Who you are inside is what helps you make and do everything in life,” wrote the beloved PBS series host in his book The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember Which of these are your favourite positive affirmations? PMA Playlists What’s switching styles without some positive and uplifting tunes? Here’s a playlist of some fantastic upbeat music for you to vibe to. Start your day, end your day, or continue your day with some of these great tracks. “Handlebars” Dubstep Cover By None Like Joshua, Originally By Flobots “Never Underestimate A Cow” By Schmoyoho “Havana” Covered By Kelly Fraser, Originally By Camila Cabello. “Man In The Mirror” Covered By The Main Squeeze, Originally By Micheal Jackson “Ryan & Dave” Originally By Rare Americans “Mr. Fear” Remixed By Make Mama Proud, Originally By Siames. “Buttercup” Covered By Sophie Wood Ft Jullian, Originally By Jack Stauber “Life Could Be A Dream” Trap Remix By Future James And EDM Bot, Originally “Sh-Boom” By The Chords (Claude Feaster, Carl Feaster, James Keyes, Floyd Mcrae, William Edwards) “Skid Row (Downtown)” Covered By Alan Menken And Howard Ashman, Performed By Olivia Donalson, Nia Jamison-Sissle, Dave Klodowski, Shu Q, Eric Stanton Betts, Deanne Stewart, Peter Yang And Chelsea Zeno, Originally By Miles Goodman And Alan Menken From Little Shop Of Horrors “Happy” Covered By Conor Maynard, Originally By Pharrell Williams. Final Thoughts What are your positive mental attitude tips? Let us know what you think in the comments below! We appreciate you taking the time to read this article. Thank you for reading Switching Styles, where we explore the world of music and all its intricacies. Whether you’re a die-hard music fan or a casual listener, this blog is for you. We cover various topics, from the latest releases and upcoming artists to classic albums and genres. Our team of passionate writers deeply appreciates all types of music and strives to provide insightful and entertaining content that engages and inspires our readers. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Thank you for supporting switching styles today. Your readership helps us continue writing and creating content for you, our audience. You can get more frequently updated content like this by subscribing to our email newsletter or following us on social media. References In any music blog or review, providing accurate information and giving credit where credit is due is crucial. We believe transparency is critical, and we want our readers to know that we’ve done our research and used reliable sources to inform our writing. That is why we have compiled a reference list for all the sources used in our report. This list includes links to articles, interviews, and other resources that have helped us better understand the music we’re reviewing. So, if you’re ever curious about where we’ve gotten our information, check out our reference list. Gervis, Z. (2019, October 29). Most Americans need this to start their day on a positive note. New York Post. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://nypost.com/2019/10/28/most-americans-need-this-to-start-their-day-on-a-positive-note/ Havrilesky, H. (2017). How to be a person in the world. Anchor Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Lorde, A. (2017). The Collected Poems of Audre Lorde. W.W. Norton & Company. Mark Guidi, M. S. E. (n.d.). 5 scientific studies that prove the power of positive thinking. LinkedIn. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-scientific-studies-prove-power-positive-thinking-mark-guidi/ Obama, M. (2019). Becoming. Crown, imprint of Random House, a Penguin Random House LLC division. Oprah Winfrey. (2004, February). O, the Oprah magazine. Oprah.com. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://www.oprah.com/app/o-magazine.html Rogers, F. (2019). The world, according to Mister Rogers: Important things to remember. Hachette Books.

For folks like me, that love our delicious leaf water, we really love our tea water and tea-themed music. From black tea or Earl Grey to rooibos and green tea, there are many different tea leaves to love. Read below for some more fun facts and a tea-themed playlist. An Intro to My Love of Tea When sitting at my desk, I love to have a cup of tea beside me. Green tea or a strong cup of black tea helps wake me up and prepare me for the day. Many people have asked me what my favourite type of tea is. And although that is a tricky question, I do have an answer. As long as I can remember, I’ve loved the subtle taste of green tea. It is an acquired taste for some, but I adore it. No matter how you give it to me, I love green tea. Matcha lattes, iced green tea, green tea ice cream, green tea refreshers, and even overstepped bitter cold tea are delicious. Enough about me and my preferences, you are here to read about tea music and tea statistics. And that is precisely what we are here to provide. Tea Statistics Photo by NIKOLAY OSMACHKO on Below we have compiled a list of statistics about tea, tea drinkers and the impacts that tea has on our daily lives. These statistics have been sourced from a lot of sources from industry leaders like celestial seasonings, Artful Tea, Statista, David’s Tea, Tea Association and Tea USA. Read below and share which fun facts are your favourite Celestial Seasonings Started In 1969. In 1969, a new company was made. This is the year that Mo Siegel makes his first blends from wild herbs picked by hand in Colorado, which will eventually become the brand we all know and love, Celestial Seasonings (Celestial Seasonings). Honestly, the morning thunder and lemon zinger have been my personal favourites since I was a child! Green Tea Is Used In Many Dermatological And Cosmeceutical Applications. Green tea has been incorporated into a variety of products, including face wash, shampoo, conditioners, face masks, and even skin treatments, due to its anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. A topical ointment containing green tea extracts was approved for treating external genital warts in the USA in 2010 and, more recently, in Europe (JDDG: Journal Der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft). Tea Is One Of The Leading Drinks In The World. In terms of preference, tea and water are remarkably similar. Tea is the second most popular drink in the world, with water in the first place. When people say that tea is too close to water, let them know that that is not a bad thing (Statista) Herbal teas are a huge umbrella term. But it is not just herbs. It’s intriguing to learn that herbal tea contains more than just herbs. Infusions from herbs and spices to fruits and nuts are typically caffeine-free (Harvard). In general, tea is low in calories, sodium, and sugar and almost calorie-free. Usually, when adding a delicious tea bag to water, which is the case. The sodium, sugar, and calorie content of any additions, including flavourings, milk, sugar, cream, honey, and even infusions in the tea bag itself, can increase (Tea USA) The word tea comes from the Chinese word T’e. This word refers to the plant from which the tea leaves originated and is used in the Amoy dialect from the coastal province of Fujian. Along the same travel routes as tea, the word for tea also spread (Eisa Tea Co). “The distribution of the different forms of the word in Europe reflects the spread of use of the beverage. The modern English form, along with French thé, Spanish te, German tee, etc., derive via Dutch thee from the Amoy form, reflecting the role of the Dutch as the chief importers of the leaves (through the Dutch East India Company, from 1610)” (Etymology Online). The term Chai Cam comes from the Mandarin word Ch’a. Consider the word “chai.” Turkish çay, Arabic shay, Greek tsai, Russian chai, Persian cha, and Arabic cha originated in China from Mandarin (Etymology Online). Black Tea Is One Of The Most Popular Options. A considerable amount (84%) of all tea consumed was black tea. Then 15% was green tea, and the small remaining amount was oolong, white and dark tea (Tea Association). Iced Tea Is A Highly Popular Drink In America. Approximately 75 – 80% of tea consumed in America is iced. Ready-to-drink iced teas such as those from Pure Leaf, Lipton, Honest Tea, Snapple, Sweet Leaf, and Arizona, among others, are becoming more popular as a sweet drink instead of pop or energy drinks. Despite competition from other beverages and effects of the covid pandemic, the ready-to-drink (RTD) tea category growth is estimated to be 3 to 5 percent (Tea Association). Drinking tea can reduce your risk of heart disease Tea flavonoids may have advantages for cardiovascular health, according to some research. Adults who drink 2-3 8 oz. cups of tea daily can lower their risk of dying from heart disease by about 8–14% (National Library Of Medicine). Improve your cholesterol and blood pressure with a daily cup of tea. According to recent research from the American Journal of Medicine and other research institutions, tea consumption may have significant advantages for heart health. The incidence of cardiovascular events is decreased, disease progression is slowed, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, is decreased, and overall blood pressure is improved. With just one cup and up to six cups per day, these advantages can be experienced (The American Journal of Medicine). China Is the Biggest Global Producer of Tea. As tea originated in China, it makes logical sense that they are currently the most significant global tea producer. China provides nearly 29% of the world’s total tea. That is a lot of tea! (Tea Bloom). Tea-Themed Music Photo by mikoto.raw Photographer on It’s time for the music, this is what you’re actually here for. Grab your favourite type of tea, a London fog, a matcha tea latte, an iced tea from Starbucks, or even a black tea with two cream and two sugar. Now that we have whetted your appetite, here is a list of tea-themed songs to get you through your next steaming cup of delicious leaf water. “Afternoon Tea” Covered By Blake George, Originally By The Kinks “The Wellerman” Collaborative Cover By Caleb Hyles, Pelle K, Jonathan Young, Ten Second Songs,NatewantstobattleOriginally by Nathan Evans ‘Tea In The Sahara” Cover By Bob Head Originally By The Police “Hilarious ‘Proper Tea’ Rap,” A Rap By Doc Brown ‘The Boston Tea Party Song’ parody by Jam Campus, originally ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams Let us know which tea-themed songs you’re adding to your playlist! Which is your favourite? Concluding Thoughts Photo by Thought Catalog on Who knew there was so much knowledge about tea? We enjoy giving you great song recommendations and tidbits of trivia. We appreciate your visit to another Switching Styles article today. Check out some of our other fun facts articles on Casey Jones Costello, Music Piracy During Covid-19, Polyamory, or sign up for our email newsletter to receive the most recent information on music and random facts.

Working from home has been an experience for everyone. Whether it’s a good experience or a bad experience is up to the individual employee and employer. Introducing The Concept of Working from Home Since the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has become increasingly prevalent. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the covid-19 pandemic resulted in over a third of companies increasing work-from-home arrangements for their employees. Photo by fauxels on Benefits Of Working from Home What are some of the benefits of working at home? Here are some of the pros of working from home: Lower commute (Indeed) Cheaper costs related to commuting, drinks, and food (The Muse) Increased comfort for the employee (Indeed) People who work from home have a better work-life balance (Owl Labs) More flexibility in hours and scheduling (Owl Labs) More time spent with friends and family (Indeed) Optimize (and decorate) home office space for maximum productivity (Business News Daily) The flexibility that remote employment offers its employees is its main appeal. A greater diversity of adaptability and accessibility ensures greater workforce diversity. Struggles of Working from Home What are some of the downfalls of working from home? Here are some of the cons of working from home: Social isolation and loneliness (Owl Labs) Difficult to stay up to date with colleagues and coworkers (Forbes Advisor) Increased costs related to home energy bills (Tech Target) Communication and collaboration can be a challenge (Owl Labs) It is hard to separate work and recreational activities (Forbes) Difficult to create and maintain a company culture (Forbes Advisor) Increased IT security risk concerns (Open VPN) Increased privacy concerns (LinkedIn) Many of the difficulties associated with working from home come from the fact that, unlike an office building that has been ergonomically designed, most homes are not built or structured for a home office. “Many people have little experience with a work-from-home lifestyle and may not have gone into this with an ergonomically designed, dedicated workspace,” says Eric K. Holder, MD, a Yale Medicine physiatrist, a doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. He says, “Workstations that were quickly put together may have felt comfortable initially, but they can cause problems with extended use if not appropriately designed. Often, this is due to poor body alignment, leading to imbalances in posture and microtrauma overuse injuries, which can result in aches, pains, and “strains.” Fun Facts About Hybrid Models of Work Environment Do you need more information about working from home? Below, we have compiled some fun facts about the hybrid system, which combines working from home or in the office in some capacity. Remember that each type of hybrid system differs slightly as you read these statistics. Depending on your commute, eliminating a typical 45-minute commute could save 1.3 years. Many employees work an hour away from their place of employment or must endure an hour of morning and evening traffic (Great Work Life). More than half of employees (56%) who claim their jobs can be done primarily from home say they frequently use online platforms to connect with coworkers. Remote work continues to be an option for many Americans. According to a January 2022 Pew Research Center survey, most of these employees say they are OK with how much time they spend on video calls, but about one in four claims that it exhausts them (Pew Research Center). These decisions are now driven by a preference for working from home rather than worrying about the coronavirus. Nearly 76% of employees with access to their workplace prefer to work from home. This is a significant factor in why they currently telework all or most of the time. Next, 7% of those who work from home say there is no reason, while another 17% say it is a minor factor. The proportion citing this as the primary cause increased significantly from 60% in 2020 (Pew Research Center). Another example is the Canadian Bank of Montreal, which reported that 80% of its staff members could and will probably continue working from home even after the pandemic (BNN Bloomberg). Remote work helps business leaders cut overhead costs associated with maintaining an entirely in-person workforce and increasing employee productivity. The typical business could save $11,000 annually for each remote employee (Open VPN). Professionals want flexibility but miss their colleagues. Most professionals (81%) either don’t return to the office or would prefer a hybrid schedule in the future, while 61% would like to work from home a couple of days a week. Less than a third (27%) prefer to work full-time from home, while 18% prefer to work in an office again (Harvard) Did you know parents with children at home want to return to work full-time more than parents who do not? (Harvard) Did you know that married and common-law couples want to return to work full-time more frequently than single people? (Harvard) Comparing company profits with prior years, a nine-month Stanford University study of 16,000 employees found that working from home increased business productivity by 13% (Standford University). More than half (56%) of IT professionals say remote workers pose a greater security risk than traditional workers. A drawback of remote work is the rise in cybersecurity risks on various personal and public networks and devices. These concerns also include privacy risks for the individual employees’ access to internal information from the organization (Open VPN). More than 70% of folks preferred hybrid work, but non-binary employees were 14% more likely to like it (Mckinsey). Employees who identified as LGBQ+2 were 13% more likely than their heterosexual counterparts to prefer hybrid work (Mckinsey). Share these fun facts during your next Zoom meeting to show off your smarts. All sources are linked, so you can also expand your knowledge. Working From Home Playlist One of the best aspects of working from home is listening to any music I want while working. Celebrate the difference between a home office and an in-person office. Here’s some music to listen to while you work from home. Female cover of ‘Feed the Machine’ by Justine M. & Friends, Originally by Poor Man’s Poison “Joker” Remix B” Skydxddy Originally By Dax “Buttercup” Earthbound Chiptune Cover By Mixandmash Originally by Jack Stauber ‘Handleba’Handlebars’step Cover By None Like Joshua, Originally By Flobots ‘The Fine Print’ By The StupendiumBased On Outer Worlds Concluding thoughts Switching Styles has compiled a playlist for everyone working from home to help your day run smoother and more excitingly. This article was made possible by readers like you. It means a lot to Dylanna Fisher, the founders, and all our guest writers and featured artists, most of whom work from home. Thank you for taking the time to read this article and supporting the Switching Styles readership. Photo by Monstera Production on

With all switching styles articles talking about immersion, there isn’t much explaining how it’s used when it’s more than ambience. Here are more details on employing immersion in your RPG, board, or card games. Whatever story you’re leading your characters through, music and sound effects can make the game seem more real. That’s what immersion is. Below we dive into the story of Lilja Dalgaard, a barbarian bear created by Switching Style’s primary writer, Dylanna Fisher,for a GURPS game played with her family and friends. Photo by Dagmara Dombrovska on Introduction To Immersion A game’s immersion draws you in. Immersing yourself in something or having a profound mental interest is called immersion. It’s not only about playing the game and getting lost in the dream. It’s about being inside the world itself. Whether in a world of fantasy and magic or science fiction and robots, some sound effects and tunes make it seem all that more realistic. We know it’s just a game, but they’re called escapes from reality for a reason. Music is a perfect example of immersion. We’re using a direct example to get a deeper look into using music to immerse your players into your game. Here’s a character’s (Lilja Dalgaard) first-person perspective of the first game of the story arc. She’s never met these other people before, but fate has brought them together for a reason. Accidents don’t happen in her mind. Photo by Fernando Cortés on We’ll go through her adventure and add points to change to a different ambience or soundscape. This is a story for Lilja Dalgaard, which will be other than your stories and characters. Remember, these are just suggestions inside of a particular example. Make sure that you tell your story your way. Let us know your playlist by tagging us on social media!! Lilja Dalgaard’s Prayer in The Tower to Freyja A generic fantasy setting or a quiet night with crickets is a beautiful place to start. Some fantastic options include “A Forgotten Path 🍃 Chill Lo-fi Beats” By The Bootleg Boy, “Misty Forest ✢ Acoustic Celtic Harp Lullaby – Binaural Rain And Thunder And Ambience” By Blissful Existence Or “Relaxing Zelda Music With Campfire Ambience” By Sam Cisco. Our favourite is “Position Music – Fantasmagora” By Trailer Music World I. In the following write-up, we’ve added some background music where there is a change of scene. This is one of Lilja Dalsgaard’s very first travels. I placed the symbols of Freya by my head. As I kneeled, I began to recount my past adventure to her. I told her of the great storm brought down by Thor. At the time, I grumbled over the inconvenience. I admitted to Freya that it was an extraordinary occurrence. Without the intervention, I would not have begun this new journey. At the time, I was between contracts. I was heading east, in the wind direction when the storm hit. It was abrupt and got very violent extremely fast. It forced me to abandon my previous journey and head south. I kept going through the storm, attempting to reach a town before it got too bad. There was a run-down tower ahead of me. It was sketchy, and I was sure I could make it to a town in one piece. “Relaxing Ambience Music – Fire Camp at Midnight” By Musiki Something changed my mind. I strode towards the crumbling building. While there, I met four very odd, different characters, an elf and three humans. All short compared to me. I still can’t remember their names. I am sure I will in time. At first, I was unsure what to think of the small ones the most. Besides me, she was the only other woman. She was tiny and made me feel of Loki. She makes me a bit nervous. Not that she is unhonourable, merely mischievous. The elf didn’t share much about himself; however, neither did I. The next male came in with a lavish cloak. He was obviously of some wealth. I was not surprised when he shared that he was a well-to-do merchant. The other human was excitable. It reminded me of my brother when he was younger. I chuckled at the Comparison. “Medieval Lo-Fi Vibes” By Llamaloops Later, he would perform a sleep spell on me. I only picked up the ring by chance. He assaulted me even though I had no intention of keeping it for myself. I was not outraged that he had assaulted me, but rather why he had attacked me. In retrospect, I might have been too harsh on him. He later informed the shopkeeper that he had misplaced the ring. It didn’t matter to me who possessed the ring, but I was concerned that the short man lied about its whereabouts. Of course, I shall treat him courteously, but how can one be honourable if he lies? “Mighty Vibes Vol 5: Zephrah Radio” By Critical Role We weren’t there for long before a group of rats attacked us. There was one for each of us, plus a few. I took one out with one hit. It made a smear on the stoned walls. It was admittedly an underwhelming attack. The event wasn’t all bad, though; I had a hearty laugh. One of the rats had spun around and attacked one of its own. I shook my head at them and giggled. Next, I helped the elf barricade the door at the tiny girl of Loki’s suggestion. My battle axe took the elf a bit off guard. I chuckled to myself. I barely noticed the merchant’s absence until I heard a scream. If I hadn’t shoved past the only other female, I would have thought that she was screaming. I burst into the room where a lesser vagul was attacking him. I shoved the shocked man to the ground, not causing too many bruises and attacked the beast. It, like the rats, was finished in a moment. “D&D/RPG Combat Music” By Michael Ghelfi Studios At that moment, I was coming down from Berserker. Of all things to ask at a time like that, the merchant offers me a job as a bodyguard. Even funnier than that was his face at my response. I felt no foolishness as I laughed aloud at the memory. Next, we travelled down a corridor and were face to face with a pair of hobgoblins. They barely readied their short swords before I attacked. It took one hit to topple the couple of them. Above us was their camp. They had escaped the storm just as we had. These were all stories of great strength, but there was no bravery or cunning. Then I sighed; we came upon the undead bugbear. This is a genuinely worthy story of your Valkyrie. We attacked the massive beast head-on. I was content using my human form to banish this creature back to the depths. Then he made an insult to my mother, and I could no longer take it. I bashed my chest and turned into a massive bear. Then I attacked. I took two attacks, and he retaliated. He wounded me. Victory was close. I was a few swings away when I felt a sharp pain from a backstabbing arrow. I fell to the ground as the sounds of battle raged around me. The worst part was that I knew I could have defeated him with only more time. “Gladiator | Tranquil Ambient Soundscape with Iconic Music from The Epic Film” By Ambient Worlds Then I launched an assault. I took two attacks, and he replied. He hurt me. Victory was within reach. I was only a few strokes away when I felt a stinging ache from a backstabbing arrow. As the noises of war erupted around me, I slumped to the ground. The saddest thing was that I knew I could have defeated him if only I had more time. “D&D Ambience – Generic Dungeon” By Sword Coast Soundscapes I could tell that he did not intend for his arrow to pierce my pelt. He looked genuinely apologetic. Instead of scaring him like I did to the magic user, I merely called him a runkisse. My mother used to scold me for my mouth. I have learned that there is a place and a time for cursing. Using a bear mouth for human speech is usually tricky, but I had a lot of childhood practice. I chuckle at the memories of Yorick and Karine. As siblings, we would have many play fights where we would taunt each other in bear form. I chuckled “Nordic Mythical & Pre-Viking Ancestral Ambient” By Paleowolf I pawed and felt the blonde handprint on my head. I knew what had happened that day. The Valkyrie did not choose me. You came down as Val Freya. As a goddess with seidr, you respun my destiny. My life was changed. With that handprint permanently on my brow, I will continue to gather stories that can compare to the best of your Valkyrie. The stars are out now, Freya. Soon, I will speak to you again. I finished my prayer and opened my eyes. That’s when I came face to face with the small girl. She attempted in vain to make me a pillow, but I refused. She kept insisting. Eventually, she was satisfied with my undershirt as a blanket. I turned into a bear and snuggled against my cloak for a long night’s sleep. “8 Hrs Soothing Lake Waves & Birds Chirping for Relaxation – 4k Summer Ambience at Mt St Helens” By Nature Soundscapes Like these immersive soundscapes? We’ve got more for you to check out if you’re interested. We’ve got a lot of fantastic genre soundscapes like fantasy,science fiction, cyberpunk, horror, relaxation, bizarre, steampunk, andso much more! Concluding Thoughts on Lilja Dalgaard Let me know what you think in the comments below about these examples of immersive background music for the adventures of Lilja Dalgaard. Do you have a favourite song to suggest to us? Thanks for reading switching styles today! It means a lot to the writers. Follow the blog on WordPress or our social media, and never miss an update or contest! Photo by Thomas Brenac on

Flighted Freedom Poetic Lyrics by Dylanna Fisher. These are merely lyrics to a poem by our very own writer, Dylanna Fisher. What music would you put to these words? Photo by Philippe Donn on Flighted Freedom Lyrics I want to become a bird If I could Flying would be my superpower If I were super If I had power A majestic creature so small But size doesn’t matter When you’re on top of the world I want to be beautiful With shimmering feathers With shining eyes That can see what I can’t I want to away fly To cover vast time, space Until they blur as one I want to escape To something more I want to go so badly So far away from here I want to go Liberation freedom something more Something that’s not here I want to see something more than the sidewalk To regain my vision I want saving from concrete It will be for me, myself, mine I want anything Anything, anything, anything I want to be a bird To fly away from you But I can’t leave I can’t fly I only have feet and these stairs Final Thoughts Photo by Pixabay on What music would you put behind this poem? Do you think one genre over another would be best? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Warning – there are limited spoilers in this article where Dylanna Fisher writes a Ravenous Devils Review, the fantastic and gory game by Bad Vices Games. Trigger Warning – this game and the resulting article discuss gore, murder, cannibalism, avoiding the authorities, and tax evasion. Click here to go somewhere else. Photo by Lisa Fotios on Introducing Ravenous Devils For those who don’t know about this game, it’s a fantastic game reminiscent of the musical Sweeney Todd. It’s a twisted, creepy, and eerie game where you play a couple starting a new business in a new town. The husband is a tailor that lures victims in and murders them for scrap fabric to sew. He then resells the material to other patrons in the second-floor tailor shop. On the other hand, the wife takes the corpses and cooks them into various meals to sell in the pub on the main floor. That’s the main storyline. You’ll have to play the game or watch playthroughs for the specifics. Ravenous Devils Review 9/10. This game was a lot of fun to play overall. Bad Vice is known for amazing games, including Ravenous Devils, Sexual Void, and Hippocampus. Despite the extensive and explicit gore, this game is delightful. Loved the game. I’ve grown up on simulation games such as cake mania, diner dash, and roller coaster tycoon. I adore the fast-paced style of simulation games. The commerce aspect is a great small-time goal with regular and obtainable upgrades. This game is great if you want something casual but are tired of boring idle games. Shout out to Steam for the achievements and trading cards that appeal to my completionism. And before you ask, yes. I have completed all the achievements but haven’t gotten all the trading cards. That being said, I’m still in the process of beating the game’s endless mode. Whether there’s an actual beating of it, I’m not sure. But right now, the goal is to go through the infinite way and purchase all the upgrades without being caught by the police. The ambience is fantastic, with the background soundscapes of a pub in Victorian England. The audio also includes sound effects, which seem very on point. It adds to the eerie aspect and the queasy nature. Don’t play this game if you have a weak stomach. As someone who loves musicals like Sweeney Todd and Repo! The Genetic Opera, I like my spooky with some musical scores for the immersion. For those that want to continue the ambience, I’ve compiled a list of ambient music to keep the eerie and energetic vibe. The inspiration for this playlist has come from Ravenous Devils. Let me know in the comments which ones you like the best. “Tim Burton Vibes” By Sundew Baggins “Fantasy Bard/Tavern Music Compilation” By Celestial Draconis “Dark Music Of Gothic Castles And Fallen Lords” By Cryo Chamber “VICTORIAN AMBIENCE: Victorian London Thunderstorm (Horses, Bells, Walking On Cobblestone)” By Autumn Cozy “Ambience/ASMR: Sherlock Holmes Parlour, 221B Baker Street (Victorian London)” By Ambience Of Yesteryear “Victorian London” By The Vault Of Ambience “RAIN OVER INNSMOUTH | 10+ Hour Dark Lovecraftian Thunderstorm Ambience” By The Tale Master “Dark Ambience – Horror Background Music” By Relax Cafe Music “ATMOSPHERIC GOTHIC HORROR READING MUSIC | H.P Lovecraft, Stephen King, Edgar Allen Poe” By TINTIN MIX “I See You…. 👀🔪 | Extreme Thriller, Suspense & Fear Background Ambience” By Ambiensis Concluding Thoughts Thank you for reading Switching Styles articles and reviews. Make any event a dramatic musical moment with notes of danger and risk. Support Switching Styles and share song suggestions everywhere. Follow us on our email newsletter on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Share your favourite song suggestions in the comments below. Want some other curated soundscape playlists? We’ve got a lot of fantastic genre soundscapes like high fantasy, science fiction, cyberpunk, horror, space western, supernatural, steampunk, haunting, and so much more! Photo by Athena on