In addition to improving our mood and general well-being, music therapy can be beneficial throughout the course of several medical treatments.
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The times are difficult. Our perception of safety in the world and our quality of life are being negatively impacted by the present political atmosphere, war, the effects of global warming, persistent disparities brought about by systematic racism, and ongoing physical and mental health issues stemming from COVID-19. Hopefully, we can all find some moments of relaxation and take our minds off the challenging daily news for a little while. Many people find that music may help them make that change, even little.
How does music affect our standard of living?
Researchers have recently examined the effects of music therapies on health-related quality of life in an effort to determine the most effective means of facilitating the transition toward release, relaxation, and recovery. Singing, listening to music, and participating in music therapy are examples of music therapies that can significantly enhance mental health and somewhat improve physical health-related quality of life. This was demonstrated by a recent systematic review and meta-analysis (a study of studies). Although the psychological quality of life was found to be positively impacted, the researchers were unable to identify a single optimal intervention or “dose” of music that would benefit every individual.
The intricacies of music
Our relationship with music is particularly personal since we are complicated human beings from a wide range of cultures with a diversity of life experiences and demands for both physical and mental health. Our connection with music may be a highly delicate, fragile, and frequently complex dance that changes every minute depending on our feelings, tastes, social context, and past experiences. There are instances in which listening to music can immediately and visibly improve our wellbeing:
using a calming soundtrack to facilitate the transition to sleep
use lively dance music to inspire yourself to work out
assisting with emotional self-expression through singing
going to a live music concert and making new friends.
A board-certified music therapist may assist you in developing that relationship with music at other times, as well as determine the optimal intervention and “dose” that may have a good effect on your well-being and offer a means of healing.
In what ways might music serve as a therapeutic aid?
Evidence-based music treatments are used by the well-established medical field of music therapy to achieve therapeutic health care objectives. A board-certified music therapist who has finished an approved undergraduate or graduate school in music therapy works with a patient (as well as any potential caregivers, family members, or other interested parties) to provide music therapy.
In order to achieve their goals of enhancing health and well-being, music therapists employ both receptive and active interventions, such as guided imagery with music, playlist creation, singing, instrument exploration, songwriting, movement, and digital music creation.
Among these objectives may include lowering anxiety, improving mood, reducing the sense of pain while undergoing cancer treatment or other medical intervention, enhancing expressiveness, discovering motivation, and many more. The ideal method to use music for these sorts of objectives and to enhance your life in general might vary from moment to moment, and a music therapist can assist you in determining what is most effective in a given circumstance.
My best tools for music therapy
Paying attention
The most research has been done on this intervention in nearly every situation. You can do it independently or in a music therapy setting. Both live and recorded music are possible. One might listen in the background or with purposeful emphasis. Emotions can be amplified for release. Music has the ability to calm the mind. Alternately, you may apply the “iso principle” to match music to your present energy or mood, then gradually alter the feel, pace, and complexity of the song to facilitate a transition. Listening to music may be used with relaxing techniques, as well as with motivation to work out, move more, or do a task you’ve been putting off.
Acquiring or mastering the use of an instrument
Making music actively actually uses your whole brain. The greatest potential for diversion, pain relief, cognitive function, development of fine and gross motor skills, and expressiveness is created by this. Certain instruments are made to make learning or free expression simpler.
For example, a steel tongue drum in pentatonic scale provides a lovely resonant sound, no “wrong notes,” and is made to be played simply! Take up the ukulele if you’d want to exercise your brain a little. Beginner chords just require one or two fingers to play, the strings are simple to press, and there are many of excellent ukulele materials available online. Using an instrument to make music may be simple and enjoyable.
The most direct and successful route to musical expression can be found with the assistance of a board-certified music therapist. It takes practice, persistence, and time to become truly proficient at an instrument and to read music.
singing
If you have a strong bond with your voice and/or a supportive relationship with your music therapist who can assist you in strengthening your bond with your instrument, this may be an incredible intervention. Singing songs that convey your truth might have emotional and physical advantages for lung function. And then, there’s the power of being surrounded by rich, harmonious sounds and the sense of camaraderie.
The last word
Music may be a powerful agent of transformation, even while there isn’t a one miraculous song, optimal intervention, or ideal genre to make all the difficult things in life easier.
Do you need further assistance selecting the ideal music-making tools? These are some places to look into music therapy and locate licensed therapists.