After a long nursing shift, switching off is not always as simple as leaving the hospital.
For hours, nurses are exposed to constant stimulation: patient conversations, alarms, clinical decisions, documentation, teamwork and the responsibility of caring for others. Even when the shift ends, the mind can remain in “work mode”, still processing everything that happened during the day.
Recovery is not only about rest. It is also about creating moments where the mind can slow down and transition away from the intensity of clinical work.
One unexpected tool for that transition? Music.
Meet Jon Hopkins: a composer exploring the power of sound and music
Jon Hopkins (Kingston upon Thames, UK – 1979) is a British composer, producer and electronic musician known for creating immersive soundscapes that blend electronic, ambient and classical influences.
Throughout his solo career, Jon Hopkins has released critically acclaimed albums including Immunity (2013), Singularity (2018) and Music for Psychedelic Therapy (2021), exploring the relationship between sound, emotion and human experience.
Beyond his solo work, Jon Hopkins has also built a career producing and remixing music for artists including Coldplay, Brian Eno, Disclosure, Charli XCX and Imogen Heap.
His creative partnership with Brian Eno led to projects such as Another Day on Earth (2005) and collaborations with Coldplay on albums including the Grammy Award-winning Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends (2008) and Ghost Stories (2014).
Music for Psychedelic Therapy: an album designed differently
Released in 2021, Music for Psychedelic Therapy marked a different direction in Jon Hopkins’ career.
Inspired by his experience composing music for psilocybin-assisted therapy research at Imperial College London, the album was created as a continuous listening experience rather than a traditional collection of songs.
There are no traditional hooks, predictable structures or radio-style tracks. Instead, Hopkins uses slow-evolving ambient textures, spacious harmonies and natural sound recordings to create a 60-minute immersive journey.
The album is not made to demand attention but to create space for it.
Why might this resonate with nurses?
During a shift, nurses constantly move between different types of attention: monitoring patients, making decisions, responding to unexpected situations and communicating with families and colleagues.
After hours of this mental and emotional intensity, music that asks less from the listener can feel like a welcome change.
Unlike songs that rely heavily on lyrics or memorable melodies, ambient music often creates a different kind of listening experience, where there is less to follow and more space to simply be present.
For some people, this can become part of a transition ritual: the journey home after work, a quiet moment before sleep, or a pause between professional responsibilities and personal time.
Nature, space and sound
One of the most unique elements of Music for Psychedelic Therapy is the way Jon Hopkins incorporates real-world environments into the music.
Several sounds featured on the album come from field recordings captured in Ecuador’s Cueva de los Tayos, blending natural environments with electronic composition.
The result is a listening experience that feels less like a conventional album and more like a journey through different soundscapes.
How to listen
This is not an album designed for shuffle mode.
Jon Hopkins created Music for Psychedelic Therapy as a complete experience, with each track flowing into the next.
For a first listen, try:
- Using headphones
- Listening when you have uninterrupted time
- Taking a walk after a shift
- Creating a quiet moment before rest
Recovery looks different for everyone
Music is not a solution for burnout, and no single habit can replace the need for healthy workplaces, support systems and sustainable working conditions.
But recovery is also built through small moments.
A favourite song. A walk. A book. Silence. A conversation. A ritual that helps you transition from caring for others to caring for yourself.
For nurses, finding those moments matters.
🎧 Music for Psychedelic Therapy by Jon Hopkins is one experience worth exploring.
What music helps you switch off after a shift?