A Deeper Dive into Music Therapy and Mental Health
Music is more than entertainment. It’s therapy. As mental health challenges grow more common and complex, many people are using music for comfort and healing. In this post, we will explore how music therapy works, and how you can use music everyday to support your own mental health.
What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the use of music by a trained therapist to to accomplish goals like to reduce anxiety, improve mood or process trauma. There are two types:
- Active Music Therapy- making music, playing instruments, writing songs
- Receptive Music Therapy- listening to music, guided meditations
How Music Helps with Anxiety
When you’re anxious, your nervous system is heightened into an alert state. Music can help you bring your brain back into balance. Here’s how:
- Slows heart rate and breathing
- Reduces cortisol
- Stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system
How Music Helps with Stress
Stress is the build-up of tension. Music helps release it. Music can:
- Lower blood pressure
- Ease muscle tension
- Promotes emotional release
How Music Helps with Sleep
Sleep problems and stress often go hand-in-hand, and music can improve sleep quality.
- Music slows down brainwave activity
- It promotes the release of melatonin
- It can help establish a bedtime routine
How Music Boosts Focus and Productivity
We often thing of music as relaxing, however it can also be energising. The right kind of music:
- Drowns out distractions
- Enhances concentration
- Increases dopamine
- Encourages focus
The Emotional Side: Why Music Matters
A song can help:
- Say what you can’t
- Validate your grief
- Regulate your grief
- Feel like company when you’re alone
Take This With You 💜
Music isn’t a sure thing cure, however is a gateway to healing. Whether you’re using it to ground yourself during anxiety or build a better sleep routine, music is here for you.