As a Holistic Psychotherapist, I believe that we cannot achieve emotional health by focusing on only on our thoughts, but rather on the interaction of our mind, body and spirit including all our senses. One of our most powerful senses is sound. Our ears are bombarded by all kinds of sounds all day from traffic and street noise to the noise in our heads. Music has the power to help you fight stress and even manage pain, and healing music works whether you prefer heavy metal, country, opera, or something else entirely.
If you haven't created a personal favorite relaxation playlist, here's a good reason to do so: Healing music can help you fight stress, find comfort, and manage pain. And if you want an additional release through music therapy, put down your earbuds and pick up a drum! Getting your groove on enhances the effect of healing music.
Healing Music: Creating Your Personal Playlist
Start by identifying music that soothes you and helps you feel comfortable. Feeling obligated to include a little classical music? Only do so if it really works for you. Whether you like Mozart, Johnny Cash, or Aerosmith, the music that most helps you relax is a highly personal decision.
"What people say soothes them, soothes them, even if it's heavy metal," says music therapist Joanne Loewy, DA, director of the
Healing Music
If you aren't sure what healing music suits you, find a therapist who uses music as part of their treatment and can help evaluate your taste and interests and make some recommendations.
For example, says Loewy, a shy person might benefit from "lilting" music that can be integrated with breathing rhythms, while a more expressive person might want to include vibrations such as gongs or drumming in their music therapy. As a personal test to see which personality type you more closely fit into, Loewy says you should ask yourself what you do when you stub your toe: Grin and bear it or curse and yell!
Marjorie Hope Gross, A.A.S., C.P., C.P.LC.
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