Midweek Mental Greening
At some point, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Music is my therapy.” Actually, you’ve probably heard a lot of people say it.
What you might not have heard as often is, “Dave Matthews Band is my own personal anti-depressant.” For me, it’s true. Whether I’m feeling sad, angry, apathetic, or even hopeless, I can pop in a DMB CD and, I swear, within the first few seconds not only can I physically feel how much better I mentally feel, but sometimes all even feels right with the world again.
When my sister gave me DMB concert tickets for Christmas last month, she may as well have handed me sunshine in a bottle.
Music is a powerful tool when it comes to our moods (I know – common sense, right?). Whether we’re playing it or listening to it, music can help relieve stress, soothe anxiety and boost energy. It’s no surprise, then, that Michigan State University founded the first music therapy degree program in 1944 and “professional” music therapy (i.e. not just listening to your favorite jam when you’re feeling blue) has been going strong for more than 60 years.
In case you don’t know much about music therapy, here are a few points of interest from the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA):
- Music therapy can consist of both listening to and actually making music.
- It can benefit everyone from children to seniors, and in addition to people with mental health, learning, and developmental problems, music therapy can benefit healthy folks, individuals with brain or physical injuries, and people experiencing pain.
- The practice of music therapy often is used in schools, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and nursing homes.
- Music therapists are for real. After completing music therapy curricula in college, aspiring music therapists can try to earn the music therapist board-certified credential (MT-BC). (Which means I don’t have the professional credentials to tell you to get some DMB on your iPod, even though I still think you should…).
- Under certain conditions, Medicare may cover music therapy. In a few states, Medicaid may include music therapy under a waiver program or existing treatment category. Some private health insurance providers even include music therapy coverage.
The AMTA also provides information about its regions, and some folks throughout the country, like those in Austin and San Diego, can find independently operated facilities closer to home.
And music as a therapy tool is pretty darn green, for both our bodies and the planet – don’t you think? There are no chemicals to ingest, musical instruments tend to be passed down and reused until the keys pop off (just ask my old junior high band teacher), and even though it takes a good bit of natural gas, crude oil, and water to manufacture CDs (not to mention something like a million years for one CD to completely decompose – seriously, I’m not making it up), CDs are recyclable.
So, what are your thoughts on using music as therapy? Have any of you had experience with professional music therapy? Or, if not, how do you use music yourself to brighten – or soothe – your moods? Any special songs or bands you want to share?
(6 votes, average: 4.67 out of 5)
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12 Comments to
“Mind The Music”
I’m a huge believer in catharsis, and music is one of my main tools for that. I went to college in a small town in central Pennsylvania (in the middle of nowhere!). Midway through my final semester, I was VERY excited to get the heck out of there after four long stressful years.
So, for the final few days before graduation, I played one song over and over — “Helicopter” by M. Ward. The lyrics mentioned something about arriving through a window and leaving through a hole in the wall…perfectly appropriate for the situation. Listening to words that validate my own thoughts (with the added bonus of a memorable melody in the background) is intensely satisfying.
I acknowledge the view of the author - Music therapy is a cost-effective, green and safe option for people who are not only depressed. But, also for all those prospective depressives.
My personal favourite is a George michael’s ‘careless whisper’. The song talks about a friend’s misgivings and result it has on the singer. Beautiful song with nice lyrics.
Yes ! Music is a good therapy
@ Summer - I nodded my head in agreement when I read “Listening to words that validate my own thoughts (with the added bonus of a memorable melody in the background) is intensely satisfying.” That is so very true. “Helicopter” - tres cool 
I like that song. I may need to add that to my playlist.
@ veerabalaji - Thanks for chiming in, and nice website by the way
I often used Heavy Metal to generate energy through anger when I have become too depressed to face the world. Happy songs just make me more depressed but my hatred for the “happy” world can be enhanced through music allowing to gather the energy to face the world whether they want to see me or not.
Hey, that’s a good point, Ken. It’s not always happy music I listen to, either (actually, it’s rarely happy music, haha - I usually lean toward more mellow, thought-provoking tunes and save the happy jams for when I’m already happy).
I don’t know if I can mention much specific music, but I do know that I tend to get in ruts at stressful times of my life. At times of my life where I am forced to get into a rut (studying for quals or working on a months-long company acquisition at work as examples), I will often perseverate on one album or song for months at a time — well past the point where anyone else would have worked through the earworm. So I use music psychologically, but it’s not a matter of “listening to Album A makes me feel better/work through anger/sadness/anything else.”
There are definitely pieces of music that have a predictable positive effect on me, though. Handel’s “Va Tacito,” Scott Joplin’s “Bethena,” Journey’s “Precious Time,” and the third symphonic dance by Rachmaninoff all get me up and moving mentally and mood-wise even when I have the flu.
Music can indeed play ease the nerves, reduce the anxiety and many other unexpected effect! Remember: Music is without borders!! I love music …
@ Janis - I completely understand. I get on “kicks” like that from time to time, and it usually happens because of something specific going on in my life.
@ usd6 - “Music is without borders” - that’s an interesting way of putting it!
I am not highly musical, but I do tend to get a few favorite songs and listen to them over and over while i am driving or on the computer. I notice that it does feel good to hear the familiar tunes.
I also have a strong emotional response to certain pieces of music, strong enough to qualify the word ecstasy - it is practically a spiritual experience. i am very grateful for it when it have this rapturous response because i am not exactly an upbeat person!
@ Leslie D. - I know what you mean about the ecstasy
It is true - different people have different types of music they use to relax and de-stress. Research shows that the most effective type of music to use is what YOU like and what works best for YOU.
Additionally, know that there are professionally-trained music therapists (and you mentioned our national organization, AMTA, in your post - thank you!) We work with a variety of clinical populations, from kids with autism to stroke victims, helping them meet goals and needs all through music. It’s pretty cool!
@ Kimberly - Thanks so much for chiming in! You must really enjoy your job - I know I would
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 18 Jan 2009
