Of Music and Emotions

So I had a personal conversation with a friend recently. X shared that she was not feeling the best. Out of a musical whim, X played a recording of John Rutter’s works. She used to like his choral works but have not heard it in a long time… years in fact. As the music played, the harmonies and melodies brought X into a better state of mind and mood. While being happy clappy might be far off, the music brought her some form of respite and that worked too. In her words,

Certain music has a way of teleporting me out of a negative mental state. Even if it is for that short moment in time, it still helps. 

It was quite a reminder for me at that time that though Music does not solve problems, in the literal sense, it has the potential to help us better manage emotional states which has a chain effect on how we deal and perceive situations at hand.

Music has intrinsic therapeutic qualities. One of its most common use in our everyday lives is in managing our moods. When we reflect on the music that we have heard in our lives, be it intentionally or incidentally, we  will realize that there are certain pieces of music that are linked to specific experiences, emotions or people. During those moments, music can potentially give us a time and space to ruminate and process our feelings. Alternatively, it can alter the emotional state that we are in, to bring us to a better state of mind, just like how it did for X. 

But what music works? These musical numbers are especially unique to the individual. What is calming for one might be jarring to another.  That might just be another conversation altogether. Meanwhile, may we continue to shore up music that are uplifting to our spirits.

#music #musictherapy #therapy #upliftingmusic