Tuning Inward: Reconnecting With Yourself Through Music

Music is so much more than just entertainment – it provides numerous opportunities to self-reflect, heal, and rediscover your identity.

Whether it stirs up old memories, helps you process grief, or simply makes you feel understood, music supports our mental health by reconnecting us with our truth.

Reclaiming Your Identity

Music can be an important reminder of who we are, especially in times of uncertainty. After a major life change, such as a cross-country move, divorce, or death of a loved one, you may feel isolated or disconnected. Listening to a playlist of your favorite songs can help you cope with a perceived loss of identity.

• It triggers powerful memories: You likely connect certain songs to significant moments or places in your life – such as your childhood home, your first love, or your wedding day – helping you remember where you’ve been.
• It provides stability: Hearing familiar songs can reinforce a stable sense of self when you otherwise feel alienated.
• It promotes self-connection: The music we love often reflects our values and individuality and can help us feel connected to ourselves.

Achieving Mindfulness

Music can be a grounding experience, helping you to be introspective and remain present in the moment. Mindfulness is the practice of being acutely aware of your immediate surroundings to cultivate a sense of calm – and music is an effective tool to achieve this state of stillness.

• It slows down racing thoughts: Focusing on a beautiful melody or an interesting lyric takes your attention away from your anxiety and worries.
• It encourages stillness: Soft, soothing music encourages you to achieve a meditative state and promotes self-awareness.
• It supports self-care: Taking the time to enjoy your favorite music can be incredibly healing and help you ignore outside noise and distractions.

Understanding Your Emotions

Sometimes we struggle to express or even understand how we feel, especially during difficult times. Music can help you work through these complex emotions through relating to others’ experiences and provide a cathartic outlet for things like grief, loss, anxiety, and self-image struggles.

• It provides clarity: A single melody or lyric can evoke feelings we didn’t realize we had.
• It can help you process: Listening to or creating music allows us to process our emotions without needing to explain them out loud.
• It offers release: Relating to a sad song or feeling uplifted by an empowering anthem can provide an emotional release in a controlled, safe environment.

Relieving Stress

A catchy melody, inspiring lyrics, or a mellow instrumental can all alleviate stress, promote calm, and boost your mood.

• It reduces stress hormones: Music lowers cortisol – also known as the stress hormone. If your levels of cortisol are low, you’ll feel more relaxed.
• It lowers heart rate and blood pressure: Slower tempos and soothing genres like classical, jazz, or ambient music promote healthy vitals, which has a physically calming effect.
• It improves your mood: Upbeat or emotionally charged songs can elevate your dopamine levels, boosting happiness.

Supporting Creative Expression

Engaging with music actively by singing, drumming, or playing an instrument allows you to be expressive and channel your emotions healthily. And while many musical instruments can be challenging to learn, simple instruments like hand drums or the ukulele are accessible and therapeutic for people of all skill levels.

• It provides cognitive stimulation: Learning or practicing music activates memory, boosts your attention span, and hones your coordination skills.
• It gives you an emotional outlet: Music-making allows you to express your grief, joy, or frustration in a safe, nonverbal way.
• It offers a sense of achievement: Mastering a song or rhythm, no matter how simple, can be deeply rewarding and motivating.

Connecting With Others

Music also fosters beneficial social and emotional connections with others, whether you’re playing in a band, performing in a community choir, or simply singing along with fans of your favorite band at a concert.

• It combats loneliness: Sharing your love of music with others is a great way to build meaningful friendships.
• It enhances empathy: Collaborating on a song helps us share our experiences and emotions as well as relate to those of others.
• It provides community: Attending a music festival, participating in a jam session, or being part of band’s dedicated fandom provides an opportunity to connect with others over a shared love of music, creating a sense of camaraderie.