With the focus in the media this week on Mental Health, I thought what better topic to discuss than 6 reasons that music is great for Mental Health. Mental Health used to be (and can sometimes still be) a very taboo subject in society and thanks to the media and social media, more and more people are discussing the effects of mental health can have on quality of life, and strategies that you can take to help yourself to be mentally healthy.
Listening to and creating music can be a fantastic tool to create a positive mood. By introducing music into your daily life, this can be a really simple way to take time out from the stresses and the rush of live and to put yourself in a better head space.
Here are some ways that music can be utilised everyday to help you with your mental health:
- Music helps you focus. Chose some music with no lyrics that is reasonably steady, about 60 beats per minute is a perfect speed, and have it playing in the background. As there are no lyrics, the music helps to drown out the chatter in your mind but isn’t distracting, allowing the mind to focus on other tasks. This type of music can also be used to help calm your mind for sleep and to calm an anxious mind when highly stressed.
- Music allows you to express yourself. When we have difficulty trying to find the right words to express ourselves, music can be a great medium to allow these feelings to be released. Whether it’s singing out loud along to the radio or penning some words and singing them to the tune in your head, music can help you to express the feelings that may be otherwise buried.
- Music leads to social connection. Sharing the joy of music playing in a group or with a group of friends can be very uplifting and rewarding. Creating music brings great joy to many people.
- Music fosters creativity. Listening to or making music allows your brain to think creatively. Creativity can help to make you feel productive and more positive. A lot of people find that being creative, whether it’s through music, dance, or art, can be a great tool for improving their mood
- Music helps you to relax. Soft music playing in the background can be great for helping to slow your breathing and create a greater sense of calm.
- Music motivates you. Who has favourite tracks saved to their device for walking or running or working out at the gym. Music can be a great motivator to get you up and moving and to lift your mood when you least feel like it.
It’s not working
Music doesn’t work for everyone but it is an easy option to try when you are feeling down or stressed some people find it really valuable, while others don’t care for it too much. It’s always worth giving it a go.
If you’ve been feeling down and nothing helps, you might want to think about having a chat to a family member or healthcare professional. At the end of the day if all else fails don’t hesitate to call Lifeline on 131314 or visit Reachout.com.
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