By Curtis Dean
#Mindfulness and #Music: Everything You Need to Know
In a fast-paced world where everything and everyone is timed and paid, one can easily get lost in the midst of it all and come out feeling a little dizzy from the stress and anxiety of meeting deadlines, impressing bosses, running errands and paying the bills. It’s predestined for everyone, from all ages and all walks of life. At least once in your life, you will be stressed out from things and realities.
#Stress is common. How we deal with it is another thing. Some people choose to throw off stress with food, some with alcohol, and some with drugs. These choices can be dreadfully unhealthy for the body and mind, and it can lead to illnesses which can then just lead to more stress. The key is mindfulness and being in full control of your emotional state. The easiest and most proven way to be in charge of your emotions is through music.
How music can help you achieve mindfulness
Music being the perfect bridge between yourself and your emotions
This may sound superficial and cliché, but this is a fact. Many people enjoy listening to music, in any genre, they may enjoy, and may not realize that the actual listening to their favorite songs and music allow them to express themselves and their emotions. In yoga and meditation, music is also a tool used to calm and soothe you. In some cases, music may not be present, but listening to nature is another form of music that allows you to relax and connect with yourself.
Through music, you are able to discover parts of your personality that may sometimes even surprise you – like enjoying a specific genre that you may find totally different from your outward persona and social interactions, for instance.
Playing music engages our auditory, visual, and sensorimotor cortices
Do you notice how kids’ songs have a lot to do with letting them move parts of their body and allowing them to use the sensory organs? This is an effective method for children and even for adults to develop the auditory, visual and sensorimotor cortices. Through music and listening to new songs, you may sometimes be able to discover new things with the help of auditory, visual and sensorimotor comprehension of the song and how it relates to your environment and surroundings.
Listening to pleasant music is an effective stress-reducer
If you have a dedicated playlist in your music player that you listen to when you want to de-stress, then you are on the right path of understanding the depth of how music influences our brain and emotions. If you don’t have this playlist, it’s fine too. You will notice that there are specific types of genre and songs that can generally make you feel better, especially in times when you are stressed or anxious. These types of music and songs connect with the brain to help calm you and happy hormones that can effectively reduce your stress.
In many different genres, there are specific types that you will prefer. However, you may choose to listen to classical and relaxing music as this may also have the same positive effect.
Music really helps you create that personal mindful sanctuary
Some people have the ability to create their own cocoon of mindfulness and relaxation when they start listening to music. This is a healthy practice and can be a part of your meditation routine. Listening to music, the ones that make you feel calm and relaxed can be your mindful sanctuary in the midst of a busy day and life. Making music a part of your regular routine will allow you to regulate your emotions better and you can discover what types of music will let you be calm and stress-free.
Music increases positive emotion
This notion can’t be expressed enough and it is proven to be true: music can help increase your positive emotions, provided that you listen to positive music and songs that make you feel better. It is important that you know which genres and songs generate a positive emotion from you. Happy and upbeat music can have a direct effect on your enthusiasm. As simple as listening to one upbeat music in the morning can affect your mood for the rest of the day.
One form of effective music therapy is by being able to play a musical instrument yourself. Making music yourself can make you feel competent and confident with yourself. It is never too late to take music lessons and learn to play any musical instrument that you like. You can take private music lessons or take courses that can introduce you to playing musical instruments.
Life without music can be bland. Wherever we go, we get to hear music from all walks of life. Music from different levels of the social ladder, music from a different cultures and music from different genre – the important thing is that you know your type of music and the ones that make you feel better. Music is an extremely powerful tool that can be used positively or negatively. Being able to appreciate music is a key step to mindfulness and to be in control of your emotions positively.
Curtis Dean writes on behalf of Sage Music School where they base lessons on the science and research of the psychology of learning. Their effective teaching methods create confident and capable students who enjoy the happiness of making music.