Originally Published September 29,
2003 -- Your Wellness Guide
Use
Music To De-stress and Heal
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Music
affects our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. It can
help us grieve, touch our soul, validate the ups and downs of life,
and generate energy within us . . . to name just a few of its
benefits.
Even
when I write my columns, sometimes I’ll put on different types of
music to meet the mood of the subject covered.
Other
times, besides getting some sunshine, I’ll put in some music with a
quicker beat to keep my energy level up. |
How do you
use music to improve your life? de-stress? or find comfort?
I spoke with
eight-time Grammy nominated instrumental artist Laurie Z. (www.lauriez.com)
about her experience in creating music for a mood or an audience reaction.
“Everyone
has all sorts of moods, and I try to include different moods in every
album. As an artist, you can touch a person’s emotions and affect his
moods -- positively (happy) or negatively (sadder), reflective or
contemplative,” she told me from her Seattle-area recording studio that
looks out over the ocean.
|
Photo Courtesy: Zebra Productions
Instrumentalist Laurie Z. uses the
melodies
in her compositions to reach the audience
with feelings and meaning. |
Laurie
Z. says that her definition of instrumental music is the act of
affecting the listener’s emotions without words and by using
sounds.
As
someone who believes that music helps and heals, Laurie Z. says “As
an instrumentalist, the melody is my tool. This is how I invoke the
emotions. By using different keys and tempos, I create a mood.”
Michael Moon, who collaborated with and composed music for Laura
Nashman’s CD “Above the Sound of Gravity” (www.spa-la-la.com),
says that with the Above the Sound of Gravity project the object was
to create sounds that put the body and brain into a deep state of
relaxation, integration, and openness of healing. |
He says that
“Subtle pulses in the music help ‘entrain’ the brain to alpha brain wave
activity, which is relaxing and nourishing -- akin to a light
meditation. The lack of traditional melody and rhythm help the body find
its own internal rhythms . . . accomplished with natural sounds.”
While every
artist has his or her own way of creating music to have a cause and
effect, the listener’s needs and interests are as varied as are the
available types of music.
You might
like Celtic folk music but the next person doesn’t find any enjoyment out
of it. Maybe you’re relaxed by soft music, or perhaps what you need to
relax is to let go and bump up the tempo. Again, it is all very
individual.
Music
Therapist Board Certified Vicki Vega at Loyola University in New Orleans
told me that there is over 50 years of research on music and its effects
on both the sick and well population. The results support the power of
music in our lives.
She told me
from her music therapy office that it is inaccurate to think that if you
are feeling bad you can suddenly feel good by putting on “up” music.
If you are
looking to use music for therapeutic emotional reasons, such as to help
you feel better, overcome a loss, or induce energy, Vicki says that it’s
best to first pinpoint the reason why you feel the way you do and work on
the cause, using music to help with relaxation and stress reduction.
“For someone
who is feeling stressed, it is more about relaxation through the music,”
says Vicki. “And relaxation and choice of music is very individualized.”
Here are
some tips to help you get the most from music and some of its many
benefits:
Take a Music
Lesson:
Ever wanted to learn how to play an instrument or sing better? The
experience can build self-esteem and self-confidence.
Experience a
Music Appreciation Class:
By being exposed to more types of music and their history, you might find
genres that you didn’t know affect you in a positive way.
Attend Music
Events:
Whether at your church, a workshop, in the community, or a large event,
musical performances are a long-time, enjoyable past-time that can deeply
affect your psyche and mood.
Look For a
Qualified Music Therapist:
Music therapists aren’t just for people in emotional distress. You can
learn more about yourself and train to relax better by learning new
skills. The American Music Therapy Association has a database of
qualified therapists at
www.musictherapy.org.
Terra
Wellington
is a
national authority on creating a wellness lifestyle.
www.terrawellington.com
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Wellington