It is widely acknowledged that music can have a profound effect on people’s moods, although science is still trying to figure out why.
It is also difficult to determine how exactly music affects anything we feel.
Musical Moods or Moody Music
For example, when we’re feeling romantic we might choose a love song. When we want to get some physical work done either around the house or perhaps while working on a car, we’ll turn on music that keeps our energy up and keeps us moving. Then there are those times when we know we’re down, or angry, or stressed, and we choose music that will bring us up, generate good feelings, and lower our blood pressure. In these kinds of situations, our mood chooses the music.
We’ve all been in grocery stores where they usually play slower-paced, easy-listening music. This type of music is strategically chosen by stores to relax customers and keep them in the store longer with the hope that they will buy more. There are certain songs that should require a tissue warning and have us feeling down for the rest of the day, or have us longing for a pick-me-up song afterward. In these cases, the music we listen to can dictate our mood.
Music Picks You Up or Meets You Where You Are
Knowing how music affects us can also help us make choices that will boost our spirits in those moments where we’re feeling stressed, like the world is closing in on us, and we don’t feel as though we have the energy to move on.
In the throes of depression, music can be used as a light to help ease things. Certain words or melodies can bring back pleasant memories and sufferers can capitalize on those types of songs. At the same time, a person can also recognize when to avoid certain songs or types of music that might deepen their feelings of sadness.
Sometimes healing comes from just knowing that someone else has experienced it, too. Acknowledging the pain of the circumstances that have resulted in a depressed state is often critical to addressing that issue and finally working one’s way out of the pit. Many songs have been written out of similar circumstances in the songwriter’s life. Fortunately for them and for us, some songwriters have a gift or the talent of being able to put their feelings into words, as a form of therapy (eg: Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven”), with the bonus that it can help others going through the same thing. Sometimes knowing you’re not alone is enough to help you get through the next day, hour, or minute – even if that someone else is someone you’ve never met.
Many musicians – whether they play an instrument or sing – will tell you that even in the midst of whatever life circumstances, they have to continue their music, and usually face a lot of criticism from those who don’t understand the connection. For many it has become a release, not just because they have a talent and like to use it, but also because music itself provides and outlet and a therapy that nothing else can.
Musical Therapy?
While scientists continue to work to explain this amazing connection between music and moods, counselors, therapists, and patients have been looking for ways to use music and the moods and emotions it can evoke to help treat the underlying reasons for depression, and help patients cope between appointments.
Some counselors and therapists use music in a very structured way to measure a patient’s emotions or feelings or memories that certain songs evoke to tap into the issues behind the depression.
Musical entrainment, in general, has been very effective in helping depressed patients. Musical entrainment involves choosing 10 to 14 songs depending on the patient’s particular interests and which kinds of music evoke the strongest emotional responses. The first four songs grow progressively sadder, the fifth song is a slightly brighter song and introduces hope, the last songs continue to build on the happier thoughts and reinforce them.
“During the depressing songs, it is important to thoroughly feel and experience the sadness or hopelessness, rather than attempting to fight it off. Continuing with the rest of the list should naturally improve the mood; it is unlikely that the person will get 'stuck' in a very depressed state (unless the entrainment list is not completed). The natural anti-depressant effect of the music will bring the person out of the undesired mood and into a neutral or happy state.” (http://depressiongrief.suite101.com).
Approximately 121 million people suffer from depression world-wide. Music is readily available in a variety of forms and methods. While it cannot be deemed a cure, it’s seemingly natural effect on a person’s mind can be used to help things seem a little more okay and induce hope when all other methods fail.
Sources: http://depressiongrief.suite101.com; www.sciencedaily.com; www.survivingdepression.net