There might be more to your favorite song than meets the eye. Each melody has an underlying effect on your brain that may help you feel comfortable and present. Here at Hopeworks we speak a lot about safety plans, which are actions you take when feeling distressed or emotionally overwhelmed, and music is unanimously the top pick I see on everyone’s list. Music is an all inclusive art form that is as varied as there are stars in the sky. Although by far the best part about music not only as a therapy tool but in general is the amount of diversity in music today. There’s so much music that evokes different ranges of emotions that it’s more difficult to find a song you don’t enjoy than one you do.
Music therapy was reportedly first used in 1945 by the United States War Department, it helped recovering soldiers with occupational therapy, education, recreation and physical reconditioning. Music has also been found to be effective with managing pain, lowering blood pressure, and reducing muscle tension. The founding of music therapy has opened a whole new aspect of music unbeknownst to us all. Music has gone from being a method of expression to becoming one of the premiere treatments for mental illnesses such as PTSD, Alzeheimer’s disease, and traumatic brain injuries as well as a plethora of others. The various benefits of music for mental health come out to a list too long to fit into this reflection, but I can definitely say that music has saved my life on more than one occasion.
In my own experiences music has been an ingrained part of my own culture and hundreds of other cultures around the world. The acts of playing, enjoying, curating, and creating music have all been traditionally hailed around the world for their unique effect on society. It’s helped people develop their identities, learn to regulate their emotions, and for some like myself it has given them a purpose. From bringing daily positivity to healing old wounds, music has proven to be a salve for the mental wear and tear life brings with it. I don’t know what I’d do in a world without melodies and harmonies, but I know ours is a little brighter with each tune that it plays.
Music Therapy
Benefits of Music Therapy
Music as Medicine
Music and Mirror Neurons