How to use music to reduce stress
Noel Anderson is my guest this week on Motivation To Write. She’s a music therapist and the founder of Anderson Music Therapy.
As a music undergrad, I always believed in the power of music to transform lives. We integrate music into our rituals and life-changing events such as weddings, funerals, graduation ceremonies, and religious services.
Yet, I overlooked its impact on mental and physical health. And I never considered how to use music to reduce stress. Music as a form of therapy was a concept so incongruent with the stress and duress I felt as a music student. Even so, there was one crucial experience through which music uplifted me: singing in choirs.
Singing and harmonizing with a group of people heals me in ways I’m probably not even aware of. On a surface level, it just made me feel happier. Even in long rehearsal sessions before a performance, I felt completely present and in the moment.
Here are nine takeaways from my conversation with Noel to show you how to use music to reduce stress:
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- Music helps us be in the here and now. When you take the time to really listen, music brings you in touch with your feelings and body.
- Breathing to the beat of soothing music can help calm you. Try this when you feel anxious or before you go to bed.
- Tightening and relaxing your muscles while listening to music help you bring awareness to your body and reduce pain. Start with the muscles in your face and move your way down your body.
- Using the same music for specific tasks trains your brain to relax. For example, playing a particular piece before you go to bed every night helps you fall asleep.
- Rewrite the lyrics to a popular song to reflect your feelings. Then find a free karaoke track on Youtube and sing it! This exercise helps you process and validate your feelings.
- Singing is scientifically proven to help reduce stress. Sing whenever and wherever and with whomever you can.
- Play calming music while you imagine you’re at your favorite, relaxing place.
- Practice not judging other’s musical tastes. Be open to listening to something new.
- You’re never too old to learn an instrument. Start with something simple like a recorder or kazoo!
What’s one way you can start using music more consciously and therapeutically in your life? Or perhaps you already do! I’d love to hear about it in the comments.
