Happy Saturday, lil sweet sweeties.

When I was still living in Brooklyn, it wouldn’t surprise you to learn that bagels were part of my weekend self-care. As often as it was possible, I would get up first thing in the morning, swing my respective bagel and coffee spots, and then head to the East River where I’d chill on this one bench at Grand Ferry Park. I’d sit there awhile, headphones playing something soothing, and just stare at the water while I had my breakfast, reflecting on the week that had just transpired.

I always felt like a new woman once I left that park bench, so my brain already associates bagels with good mental hygine. However, if carbs aren’t in your current self-care routine, Kiwi cutie BENEE has cooked up something that is equally if not better for your mental health than my sausage, egg, and cheddar on a toasted garlic (WITH S&P AND HOT SAUCE!🙏🏻).

Her track “Bagels” actually uses musical elements identified by Auckland University of Technology (AUT) neuroscientists to relax the nervous system, modify brain activity and ease feelings of anxiousness. Additionally, neurological testing on teenagers and young adults found listening to “Bagels” lowered levels of “state anxiety,” which is the type of short-term anxiety experienced in stressful situations. The track also calmed brain activity in the frontal and parietal lobes – the areas often associated with regulating emotions and the fight or flight stress response.

“I’ve always seen music as a kind of therapy, but it was fascinating to learn why certain sounds move your mood,” shares BENEE “”BAGELS” was a totally different creative process for us: every aspect, from the beat, the natural soundscape and harmonies, to the subtle message in my lyrics, “you are not alone,” is designed to take away feelings of anxiousness.”

Bonus! All income generated from “BAGELS” will be donated to Youthline, a ‘with youth, for youth’ organisation that has supported young New Zealanders for more than 50 years, including those struggling with mental health and other issues.🥯

#SOTD: BENEE - “Bagels”

#SOTD: Moritz Simon Geist - “Grams”

#SOTD: Disclosure - “A Little Bit”