Alternative/Indie Health: Music as a Healing Property
When it comes to your health, it's not always a one-size-fits-all approach. This is especially true when it comes to something like your mental health. Music is one of those things that has yielded so many benefits to people in life. But there are some people who look upon music with some form of negativity, this is doubly true in terms of their mental health. When people listen to so-called “depressing” music, there may be an argument that it actually exacerbates depressive symptoms. But, this is not the case. In fact, it can be very much the opposite. Let's delve a little bit deeper into how music can be what you really need in times of trouble.
The Feeling That You’re Not Alone
When people go through tough times, many people have that one album that they put on a never-ending repeat. And when you use music as solace in this respect, it can give you a sense of perspective. The idea that you're not alone in the world in feeling these feelings is very cathartic. Whether you’re undergoing anxiety treatment or taking the first tentative steps to address your mental health, sometimes, music can be the perfect gateway and getaway. And primarily, this is because someone has gone through what you are thinking about a feeling. And it's those tangible moments, either in terms of lyrics, or in the sheer emotion through the music, that can make you exorcise certain demons.
Many people have gone through terrible experiences in their lives, and there has been one album that has been helpful, despite the perceived downbeat content. Albums like Eyes Open by Snow Patrol or The Color and the Shape by Foo Fighters are full of break up stories and sentiments. And when we are listening to music in this respect, it's not just about the fact that we can empathize with what these people are going through, but it gives us a voice to vent our own feelings. The sheer visceral sensations of the music can be the way to verbalize thoughts and feelings that we wouldn't necessarily know how to do ourselves. The Mount Eerie album A Crow Looked at Me is, arguably one of the more visceral experiences for anybody as far as an album is concerned. The pure subject-matter, relating to the songwriter's wife's death, can be a very stark reminder of the fragility of life.
How Music Benefits Our Health
Whether it's the fact that those who listen to metal music are happier than a lot of people, or the fact that music can lower your cortisol levels, music has the power to benefit our health in so many ways. Look at how music cuts through to patients experiencing dementia and Alzheimer’s. Playing a piece of music automatically takes them back to a certain time. They begin to re-enact snippets of their past. It's incredibly emotional to see. Like this clip:
But when we feel that we are undergoing a tough time, when we are building our wellness toolbox, music has to form a part of it. Music yields so many benefits. Anybody that has been to the gym knows the power of a good song to help people run faster and improve their endurance. But it also shows an amazing way to relieve symptoms of depression.
While there's evidence to say that techno and metal can exacerbate depressive symptoms, there's also music out there that is purposely designed to evoke a meditative response. Weightless by Marconi Union is a very good example of this, as it was purpose-built to bring individuals into a more relaxed frame of mind. There are also the benefits of using music to improve your study. Research has shown classical music is incredible at stimulating your cognitive performance. But the research suggests that your cognitive function can improve depending on your emotional state. The moral of the story is that if you listen to the right music, it will get you into the right emotional state.
The Case for “Depressing Music”
Many people don't like listening to depressing music because “it makes me depressed.” But we've also touched upon the fact that listening to the music of such visceral emotion can be cathartic. If you are someone who is experiencing tough times, you may worry about listening to depressing music. But the case for depressing music is overwhelming for some. It's not just about the fact that someone is experiencing the same thing as you in real-time, that it's the ability to use music as a mouthpiece, to inspire you to think about other aspects of your life.
When we look at musicians and their backstories from out especially in terms of those casualties like Kurt Cobain from Nirvana or Ian Curtis from Joy Division, it's hardly a surprise that certain people view depressing music as a thing not to be touched. But using music that takes you to a dark place can help you to unravel what is inside your head. The mistake is when you start to intertwine the narrative of the artist with the narrative of the art. And when people are going through difficult times especially right now, there's the timelessness of certain music that touches upon universal themes. It's about using music as an escape from what is going on right now, but also ensuring that it is able to verbalize your thoughts.
It's also important to mention that music is a fantastic escape. Some people have such difficulty in life, that they need to lighten the load. But music is one of those great healers that provide the mouthpiece for your emotions, can stimulate you in many ways, but is also a way for you to gain some perspective. Music can be cathartic, and when you are going through a tough time in your life and you find that you are stuck on a certain album, it's because it's that piece of art that is penetrating deep into the back of your mind. Music is a powerful healer, and if you are struggling to make sense of your life right now, it's time to delve deep into this art form.