Most people would probably say they enjoy listening to music on a regular basis. From jamming in the car with friends, to throwing on some tunes to work to. But did you know that there’s scientific evidence that links listening to music directly to your mood and general happiness?

According to a study at Durham University in the UK, there’s a direct correlation between happiness and listening to music. The study found that even sad music brings most listeners pleasure and comfort. The 3 surveys of more than 2,400 people focused mainly on the emotions and memorable experiences associated with listening to music, and the majority of feedback from the participants was positive. The lead author, Tuomas Eerola, Ph.D., said, “The results help us to pinpoint the ways people regulate their mood with the help of music, as well as how music rehabilitation and music therapy might tap into these processes of comfort, relief, and enjoyment.”

In a 2013 study, the Journal of Positive Psychology found that people who listened to upbeat music improved their overall mood, and affected their happiness. One of the authors there noted that happiness is linked to all sorts of benefits such as better physical health, happier relationships, and even higher income, which is just another one of many reasons to listen to your favorite music!

Whether you’re having a bad day or a good one, at work, at home, or even on the go, music is scientifically proven to boost your mood. So grab your headphones, throw on your favorite playlist, and jam your way into a better day!

Earlier this week, I watched a documentary on Hulu called Fyre Fraud. Fyre Fraud covered the letdown of a super hyped-up music festival called Fyre Festival, which was scheduled to take place on the Bahamian island of Great Exuma over two weekends in April and May 2017. 

Fyre Festival was organized (or disorganized) by entrepreneur Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule. It was meant to be an event that promised a huge lineup, gourmet meals, "glamping" in luxury villas, and more -- think Coachella, but 100x bigger. When guests arrived, they realized they had thrown thousands of dollars towards nothing. The artists set to perform pulled out, the accommodations were far from luxurious (most were just mattresses on the floor or FEMA tents), and the fancy meals ended up just being some cheese on bread. Spoiler alert: McFarland was sentenced to six years in prison and ordered to forfeit US $26 million for wire fraud.

What piqued my interest about the coverage of this festival the most is that McFarland managed to con millions of dollars from hopeful festival attendees by using social media influencers to promote something that really couldn't have happened. He made money by exploiting our generation's FOMO (fear of missing out) and made this festival the "it" place to be despite the lack of execution. I recommend watching Fyre Festival if you're in the mood to laugh about wealthy, self-image obsessed millennials or if you want to learn how not to become a successful entrepreneur. Though, be prepared, I did feel sympathy for both parties by the end of the film.

Netflix is also set to release a documentary on the same festival tomorrow.

If your New Year's’ resolution is to eat out less, then stop here and continue with your day. If you’re like me and love going out this post is for you!

Dine Downtown is a two-week event that many of the best local restaurants participate in. You get a three-course prix-fixe meal for $35! These are some of Sacramento’s best restaurants so it can be a really good deal. We are currently in the last week of the annual event that runs from the 11th to the 21st of January.

You can review the participating restaurants and make reservations here. Those with dietary restrictions should look at the menus or reach out to restaurants. Many of the prix-fixe menus do have vegetarian and vegan options. 

You can also feel great about supporting this event because it benefits a great cause. One dollar from every meal is donated to social services and food literacy programs. So go ahead, release your inner foodie and indulge!