Why Music Matters for Healing (Guest Post)

Photo by LaPorte via PIxabay

Article by Christy Zigweid

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I have always been an artsy sort of person. When I was in elementary school I loved art and music class. I played the bells when I was a fifth grader (my one and only time playing in a band -- ironic I married a band director). I sang in the choir throughout middle school and high school. I learned how to play the piano (my favorite instrument). I am a scrapbooker and make homemade cards. There is not one thing I do each day that doesn't involve music or art on some level.

Why Music Matters for Healing

1. Music can help calm and soothe
I would venture to say many people have a song or type of music which calms them down. For me, it's spa/instrumental music. For my husband, it's obnoxious heavy metal music. I recently found an app called "Relax Melodies" (iTunes) (Android) which provides different music and sounds you can mix together to form your own unique sounds. I use these when I fly (I have horrible flying anxiety) and when I just want something soothing. You can also set the volume of each sound to your liking. My son uses this app every night when he goes to bed. Most nights I have it on to stop my mind from racing.

2. Music can motivate you
How many times have you been browsing the music section and seen compilations of music for working out? Or know people who have a set playlist they use when working or doing homework? How about someone who listens to a certain song before they get out of bed to help them start the day? I listen to music when I'm cleaning house, driving in the car, and writing, just to name a few. And I listen to music when I'm in the middle of a depressive episode. No matter the type of music, it can help us to be productive as well as calm us down.
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3. Music can pull you out of a tough spot
We all have bad days. We all have times when we'd like to crawl into a hole and never come out. For me, lyrics are a huge factor in whether music helps me through the tough times. I wrote an article for This is My Brave, talking about The Tenors, and how their music helps me through rough spots. Sometimes it makes me cry. Other times it makes me angry enough to take action. My husband will be the first to tell you my playlist is long and 99.9% of the songs have some kind of personal connection for me.

Copyright - Christy Zigweid
Retired image from Some Odd Girl Stamps  Sentiment from Ginger's House

4. You don't have to be musical to enjoy music
Not everyone is talented in playing an instrument or singing. But you do have the ability to listen to music. A great clip from Mr. Holland's Opus shows how music can even reach those who cannot hear. Music is our international language.
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How do you use music for healing?

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About the Author

Christy Zigweid is a writer, household CEO, wife of a musician, and mother to two great kids. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education and has been a stay-at-home mom since 2007. A fighter of depression and anxiety, she uses her words to inspire and offer hope. She is an advocate for mental health and suicide awareness. "A New Beginning," her first published short story is featured in Mosaic: a Compilation of Creative Writing, which was published March 2015. She also has a short story featured on Short Fiction Break titled "1,862 Days." If you don’t see her nose stuck in a book, you will likely find her behind a computer screen or spending time with her family.

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