Sing Actively!

Music improves our happiness and well-being, and music therapy may aid in the management of some medical illnesses.?

The road is tough. The present political atmosphere, conflicts, the effects of global warming, persisting injustices as a result of institutional racism, and continuous physical and mental health difficulties from COVID are all affecting our sense of safety in the world and quality of life. Hopefully, each of us may find moments of calm and momentarily divert our attention away from the distressing daily news. Music, even in little doses, can help many individuals make the transition.

What effect does music have on our well-being??

Recently, researchers investigated the influence of music therapies on health-related quality of life, intending to determine the best strategy to aid in the transition toward relief, meditation, and recovery. The utilization of music treatments (listening to music, singing, and music therapy) can result in considerable gains in mental health and modest increases in physical health-related quality of life, according to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis (study of studies). While the scientists found that music had a favorable influence on the psychological quality of life, they did not discover a single ideal intervention or "dosage" of music that truly works for everyone.

Music's complexities?

Our relationship to music is incredibly personal and unique with various life experiences, mental and physical demands. Our connection with music may be a very beautiful, delicate, and often confusing dance that changes depending on our mood, tastes, social context, and prior experiences. There are occasions when music has a direct and immediate effect on our well-being:?

• Smoothing the passage to sleep with a relaxing soundtrack?
• Finding inspiration for a workout by listening to energetic dance music?
• Assisting in emotional self-expression by singing?
• Bonding with people by experiencing a live concert

Oftentimes, a board-certified music therapist may assist you in developing that connection to music and determining the optimum approach and "dosage" that can favorably influence your well-being and give a type of healing.?

How can music be utilized therapeutically??

Listening to music is a well-established therapeutic intervention that uses evidence-based music interventions to achieve therapeutic health care objectives. A board-certified music therapist who has completed an accredited undergraduate or graduate music therapy program has the qualifications to work with a patient (and maybe their caregiver and/or family).

Practitioners use both active (chanting, instrument discovery, composing, movement, digital music formation, and more) and receptive (music listening, mental imagery with music, playlist creation, or music conversation and reminiscence) interventions to enhance wellness. They set goals to achieve them.?

Some of these objectives can be to reduce worry, improve your mood, reduce pain perception during cancer or other medical treatment, increase expressiveness, discover inspiration, and so on. The method of utilizing music to attain these types of objectives — and to enhance your overall level of happiness — might change from moment to moment, and a music therapist can help you figure out what works for you.

Favorite music therapy tools?

This approach has received the greatest attention in practically every instance. It can be done independently or as part of music therapy. The music might be performed live or prerecorded. Hearing can be done with focused attention or as background listening. Emotions can be amplified for release. You may utilize music to help you relax. Alternatively, you may apply the "iso principle" and match music to your present energy or vibe, then gradually alter feel, pace, and complexity to assist you in shifting. Music listening can be combined with relaxation instructions or used to push you to exercise, move more, or complete a chore you've been putting off.

Playing or learning an instrument?

Producing a song actively engages your entire brain. This allows for the greatest amount of distraction, pain alleviation, cognition, fine and gross motor development, and expressiveness. Some instruments are made to facilitate free expression or learning.?

A steel tongue drum, for example, set up in a pentatonic scale, has a great resonant sound, no "bad notes," and is intended to be played! If you want to stretch your cognitive abilities, consider learning to play the ukulele. The strings are simple to push, introductory chords only require one or two fingers, and there are several excellent ukulele materials available online. Making music with an instrument may be enjoyable and simple.

A board-certified music therapist can assist you in determining the most straightforward and successful route to musicality. It takes time, patience, and practice to truly learn a musical instrument and read music.?

Singing?

If you have a good connection to your voice and/or a good music therapy relationship where the therapist can assist you to improve your connection to your instrument, this may be great therapy. Singing has physical advantages for pulmonary function as well as emotional value for singing songs that tell your truth. Finally, there is the sense of camaraderie and the strength of being surrounded by powerful, tight harmonies.

Final Thoughts

Although there is no single optimal solution, miraculous song, or perfect genre that will make all of life's difficulties go away, music may be a strong catalyst for transformation.?

Do you require further assistance in obtaining the finest music tools for you? Here are some sites for learning more about music therapy and locating trained therapists.

American Music Therapy Association -?Certified Board of Music Therapists?- American Psychological Association: Music as Medicine

No need to take life too seriously!

References

Stephanie C. War anxiety: How to cope. May 2022. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from?https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/war-anxiety-how-to-cope-202205232748

Matt McCrary J. et al. Association of Music Interventions With Health-Related Quality of Life. March 2022. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8941357/

Bradt. J. et al. Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in people with cancer. October 2021. Cochrane Library. Retrieved from?https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006911.pub4/abstract

Starcke K. et al. November 2021. Emotion Modulation through Music after Sadness Induction—The Iso Principle in a Controlled Experimental Study. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8656869/