Each and every one of us experience stress in our daily life activities. Whether you have lost a love one, lost a job, are having financial difficulties, broke up with you significant other, or are facing other challenges in life; music can be your salvation. I am not trying to preach to you. I am just simply stating what I believe is a fact.
Playing Music Is Therapeutic
Music therapy, as a profession, is studied at a number of colleges throughout the country. According to the American Music Therapy Association, professional musical therapists help to promote wellness, alleviate pain, manage stress, enhance memory, and promote physical rehabilitation. In fact, various studies have also found that music education can fight Alzheimer’s disease and assist others with brain injuries.
Talk to a professional musician and they might tell you that their music is like water or air to them. They might add that the thought of not having music in their life is unimaginable. I can attest that in addition to my family, music has been my therapy. To play or perform music is a means of healing the soul. When I play music, I am not overwhelmed thinking about daily problems. I am relaxed. I am in my zone, so to speak.
Now some of you may say that when you play music, you are anxious or uptight. You get frustrated with the way you play or perform. Yet, if you practice hard, you will reap the rewards that music has to offer. Your sense of accomplishment will be therapeutic. Not everyone has the benefit of utilizing this creative part of their personality though. After all, there are many who listen to music and far less who actually study and play an instrument on a daily basis.
I sense that other musicians feel this way. Their creativity is promoted through music, like an artist’s creativity is revealed in a painting. Others who are not musicians may seek outlets that are different than an artist or the banjo, mandolin or guitar player. For me, though, a life without music would seem empty. Its a lifestyle and a passion of mine. It is part of my body, mind and soul.
I’ve always thought listening to music can be therapeutic. There have always been certain vocalists who just “get to me” somehow, expressing an emotion in song that it would be hard for me to get to in other ways. This is one of the reasons I listen to music, to get that connection. I have not quite made that connection in playing guitar, but it actually has become somewhat relaxing while I’m practicing. I often lose track of time and it is a good way to while away a hot August afternoon.
From my own experience, there’s nothing like music to get me through hardships. When I trained for marathons….those weekly 20 mile runs on Saturdays could not have been accomplished without my “headset” and my music. Also, on another level, when my sister in law was on her last days and my husband and I played the guitar and mandolin for her, although she was already in a semi-coma her face lit up with a huge smile! I know she heard and enjoyed for the last time in this life her MUSIC!
Nothing could be further from the truth on this. When i come home, hot and stressed, i just pick up the guitar and strum chord progressions, or pratice the songs we are assigned. Regardless of how hard some of the chords or techniques, it never causes me stress. The only thing that makes stress is myself. It is a relaxing balm for the soul.
I was just telling my wife how music doesn’t make your problems go away but it sure helps to relieve some of life’s stresses.
Music is truly a great way to relax. Whether it is practicing and perfecting the composition or sitting back and listening it is the best medicine. It takes us away from a chaotic routine.
It’s cool to learn a tune on paper well enough to be able to practice it in your head all day then, play it when you get home(or whenever you get your hands on it) and see how much progress was made. This is the beauty of playing; it’s a part of you!
Music therapy is also great way to connect with people, especially children, with developmental disabilities.
In my life as a minister, I cannot imagine a worship service without music, it would be dull and un-inspiring. In my life as a licensed clinical social worker, I have seen first hand the remarkable impact of music for those dealing with cancer or aging, or just life itself. I can see how maybe some of the Iron Butterfly songs might not be so relaxing, but music soothes the soul. I love bluegrass music, it always makes me smile especially when the banjo starts. I am just learning this instrument and have a long way to go and Dave is encouraging me at every step. Of all the music that Dave has introduced me to, at the end of a practice session, or at the end of a difficult day I often turn to that “nothing song” by Jens Krueger. Thanks, Dave.
I keep my “lap banjo” (lightened by removing the resonator and all attachment hardware) by my bedside. If I’m having trouble getting to sleep or wake up early, after talking with the Lord, I then pick. The beauty of it is it relaxes me and helps me get to sleep, or wakes me up in a great mood. Somehow, lying in bed, flat on my back with a banjo on my belly is more conducive to playing more deliberate and slowly and getting the timing clearer in my mind for a particular song. This was not always my favorite form of relaxation and therapy at bedtime.
My wife actually gave me a small push to take guitar lessons as an outless to relieve stress. I’ve always wanted to learn, so it wasn’t much of a push. Since then I been amazed at how effective it is a relieving stress. Even though I’m only starting out, and it can be frustrating at times learning such a subtle and complex instrument, it is the best form of stress relief I’ve ever seen. I can come home from a bad day of work and after an hour of picking away at the guitar I actually feel better. If I have trouble sleeping, I can play for 20 minutes and go to bed. It’s just a wonderful way to clear your mind of the day’s troubles.