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Listening to music can help to reduce your stress levels, boost your mood, and provide a healthy emotional outlet. Whether you’re a musician yourself or you love to curate perfect playlists, you can reap the wellness benefits of music.
Here, we share a few ideas to get you started.
Songwriting for emotional expression
Songwriting can be an excellent way to express your feelings and vocalise thoughts that might be difficult to say to someone directly. Musicians are known for using music as an outlet, with lyrics and melodies often reflecting on their personal experiences. However, even total beginners can get started with songwriting.
If you’re new to songwriting, start by writing down your thoughts and feelings in a notebook and experiment with turning them into lyrics by finding words that might rhyme, or fit a natural rhythm, or are similar thematically. Songwriting can be a very personal experience, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it – so try to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself, and just lean into expressing what’s on your mind. You don’t have to share these lyrics with anyone, so feel free to write anything you like, without having the pressure of writing the next Bohemian Rhapsody.
Listening to music for a happiness boost
Different genres of music can influence us in different ways. Calm classical or acoustic music can help you relax after a stressful day, while upbeat pop music can boost your energy levels and motivation.
Dancing to lively music is another great way to release endorphins (feel-good hormones), improve your mood and reduce tension. Even spending a few minutes a day listening to music you love can have a positive effect on your mindset.
Connecting with others through song
Music also has the ability to bring people together, which can be hugely beneficial for your mental health. Whether that means sharing songs, going to gigs or festivals with friends, or singing or playing instruments with someone, it can help you deepen your bonds and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Similarly, sharing music can also be a meaningful way to express your feelings to another person – sometimes a song or melody can say what might be tricky to convey in words. A useful tip is to create playlists – whether that’s for yourself, friends or a special someone – that reflect positive memories or emotions. You might also think about joining a local music group, choir or online music community to help build confidence and make new friendships.
Music is more than just entertainment
Most of us think of music as entertainment, and that’s definitely true, but it’s far more than that. It can support emotional expression, reduce stress, and strengthen relationships, in turn supporting your mental health. However you embrace music, incorporating it into your daily life can be a simple but effective way to improve your mental wellbeing.
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