Music is therapy

A lot of people use music to escape from whatever is going on in their lives. It may be putting your headphones in, going for a run, and feeling that adrenaline. Playing some music in the car on the way home from a stressful day. Or perhaps a child who didn’t get a very good start to life but finds comfort in lyrics.

On a lighter perspective, have you ever sat somewhere and a song plays on the radio that takes you back to a memory? Dancing around the living room with your siblings laughing. Going to a concert with your bestie and the crowd is like electric you just want to live in that moment forever. Maybe your grandmother singing ‘Que Sera Sera’ on a Sunday afternoon.

I bet you’re wondering why I’m writing about this. I strongly believe we can use music more for therapeutic reasons. Music is so diverse. It speaks every language, to every age group, and every gender as well as adapting for personalities. Music represents every emotion. Sometimes we can be scared of saying how we feel or don’t even know how to put it into words but a song we can really relate to.

Music represents every emotion

If we learn how to recognise how we feel more, we can use music with more purpose. For example, if you're low, you might want to put on a happy song, or maybe you need a sad song to sit through the sadness. That is just as important for regulating ourselves. I know a lot of people who use a song to connect with someone who has passed away. Equally just as important.

You could even be more creative and have a playlist to support you with certain things. If you push yourself even more, you could learn an instrument to feel the rhythm at another level. I used to play the trumpet (very badly!) but it’s very good for releasing negative emotions.

So, whether you’re escaping or reminiscing I’d urge you to try to notice what is going on for you and what you need. I really believe you can build yourself up with music - it’s like therapy in the most accessible way. The more you learn about yourself, the more you can help yourself, too.

Another idea could be to use music to show someone else how you feel if it is hard to put into words. This can take the pressure off of you and can be more comfortable putting yourself in a third-person position. Try it, be creative! For me, existence would be empty without music and I’m living my best life cooking away in the kitchen whilst serenading my dog! Sometimes it’s the simple things.

Hopefully, this blog has got you thinking and made you question things. If you feel you would like to explore in more depth, please get in touch for a free initial call to help put you at ease and discuss what you would like to get from therapy.