Music plays an important part in your life. It’s around you wherever you are, whether you’re shopping in the mall, dining in a restaurant or exercising at the gym. And if you’re like me, it’s the sound that you wake up to each and every morning!
Most people appreciate the effect music has on the body, mind and spirit. It brings you up when you are feeling down and there is nothing like listening to a set playlist with a strong beat to motivate you to give it your best when you are at the gym. I know it definitely does the trick for me!
You may not be aware that listening to music can have a more deeper impact than just the obvious mood and behaviour piece. It’s actually known to bring benefits to your physical and mental health.
Medical research has shown there are many health and medical benefits in listening to music, some of which include:
1. Improvements in the function of the body’s immune system and a reduction of stress as your cortisol level actually goes down.
2. Relief of some of the symptoms of depression, especially if the music you are listening to is classical or meditative.
3. Improved memory performance.
4. Increased learning for children with autism and/or learning disabilities.
5. Helping stroke patients regain their speech.
6. A reduction of pain and anxiety in cancer patients.
7. Less pain and a greater sense of calmness when visiting the dentist.
8. Stimulating positive interactions, facilitating cognitive function and coordinating motor movements for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
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Lives are being changed through music therapy as it benefits the brain, providing an overall sense of well-being.
What is music therapy?
The Canadian Association of Music Therapy defines it as the skillful use of music and musical elements by an accredited Music Therapist (MTA) to promote, maintain and restore mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health. Music Therapists are able to assess emotional well being, physical health, social functioning, communicating abilities and cognitive skills through musical responses and use this knowledge to design music sessions that are based on client needs. The customization may include music listening, song writing, imagery and sensory.
Music therapy is used with a broad range of individuals of various ages and abilities in hospitals, medical institutions, community and private practice settings. This includes but is not limited to palliative care, mental health, AIDS, acquired brain injury, emotional traumas, victims of abuse and physical disabilities. You do not need to have a musical background in order to benefit from taking part in it. Music Therapists are fully trained to understand the needs of all, providing them giving them an opportunity to offer their therapy in a way that works for all.
In my volunteer work with brain injury survivors I am fortunate enough to be able to take part in weekly one hour music therapy sessions at the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI) in Calgary. I feel blessed to be able to participate in this both as a rehabilitation coordinator working with a stroke survivor as well as being a brain injury survivor myself.
I have been brought to tears and been deeply moved with what I have observed take place in these sessions. While there are many different techniques a Music Therapist uses, one that stands out for me is when individuals who may be struggling cognitively and/or physically are offered a musical instrument to play along in a song that is led by the therapist. I have witnessed first hand the joy that this gives many clients and how their eyes light up as they make sounds with the instrument as they match the rhythm of the beat.
The music has the ability to restore many clients to who they were, reacquiring their identity through music, even if it’s just for a brief moment.
This is so powerful and it has a very deep emotional impact on each of them.
Music has a deep calming effect on people.
I see many emotions such as happiness, joy, sorrow and calmness come across in waves, whether clients are listening to the music or playing an instrument.
If you, or a loved one, are dealing with a serious illness or traumatic event, I would highly encourage you to look into how music therapy may be helpful to you in getting through a difficult situation. Two websites that can help you in finding music therapists in your area are the Canadian Association for Music Therapy and the American Music Therapy Association.
Not sold on the benefits of music therapy? I’ll leave you with a 3 minute video that shows you just how beneficial music therapy can be. This was recorded in the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured and it will give you an idea of what clients there are fortunate enough to be able to take part in each week.
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