From the songs we choose to fill our playlists and our focus on sharing and comparing our #SpotifyWrapped results, music is an important part of our lives every day. Music can help us connect with each other and express ourselves. Even when you’re not thinking about it, music is everywhere but did you know that music is also a powerful tool to help with our mental health? Here are some ways you can add music to your mental health toolbox.
Using Music for Self-Care
Your happy song always knows how to pick you up.
Listening to music can help increase the dopamine levels in our brains. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that can influence your mood and help you feel pleasure and a sense of reward.
Research shows that music can also affect our heart rate and breathing; that’s why listening to soft, slow-tempo songs can help you calm down and upbeat tunes can get you excited or energized.
TIP: Make a playlist for just the right moods or activities. (i.e gym playlist, boss girl energy, running playlist, feel the feels)
When that song reminds you of that one time…
Memory and music go hand in hand. Studies have found that music can help us improve memorization and learning. Our emotional memory is also very closely tied to music which is why we sometimes feel like we’ve traveled through time when listening to a particular song/album. This can help us to work through memories associated with certain songs.
Warning: Be mindful of how certain songs affect your mood. While sometimes it may be good to work through negative feelings with music, it can also be triggering.
Listening isn’t the only way to use music.
Singing, dancing, or learning an instrument can also greatly improve your mental health. Researchers have found that making music can improve executive brain function, which is responsible for skills like organizing and planning, paying attention, and understanding ideas from other viewpoints. It can also help you regulate emotions and anxiety levels, and boost your self-esteem.
Want more guidance in using music for your mental or physical health? Consider trying music therapy. Music therapy can help those who have difficulty with verbal communication but can be a helpful tool for anyone looking to work on themselves. While music therapy is not a cure for mental health conditions, it can help to reduce some of the symptoms of disorders like anxiety and depression. Always check with your mental health professional before making any changes!
Have a favorite song or playlist that helps you to calm your anxiety or cheer you up when you’re feeling down? Share it with us in the comments below!
Resources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/well/music-therapy-treatment-stress.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/music-therapy
https://www.incadence.org/post/how-to-incorporate-music-into-your-self-care-routine
https://www.tendacademy.ca/using-music-self-care/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-increase-dopamine
https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-music#cognitive-benefits
https://www.mia.org.uk/2017/02/10-reasons-why-making-music-is-good-for-your-brain/
https://www.understood.org/articles/en/what-is-executive-function
Categories: Self-Care Resources