4 minute read
The Indisputable Healing Power of Music
WITHOUT (TOO MUCH) FANCY RESEARCH
By Alaura Lovelight
Advertisement
It would be easy for me to start this article with some Googled statistics about how our brain rewires itself while listening to certain types of music that put us in a healing meditative state and elevate our levels of dopamine to increase our happiness and health… which is, in fact, true.
But I’d rather ask you to focus on just this article for a moment, sort of a reading meditation.
Listen to Your Past
I want you to think about your favorite song that got you through a break-up, or a hard time at home, or at work. Put that song at the forefront of your mind.
You got it? Ok, now think about turning that song on. Did you listen to it in the shower? On a car ride alone? In your headphones as you worked out? Maybe while you were cooking. Maybe you would sing it to yourself to soothe the pain that you were feeling.
Do you remember the lyrics? I want to ask what made you gravitate towards that song as you sought comfort during that hard time. Was it a song by your favorite musician? Was it the beat that made you feel better? Or perhaps a certain lyric that when you sang along always made you feel connected.
I don’t know you. I don’t know your age, your skin color, your sexual preference or orientation, or even what kind of music you like.
But I do know music. And I’d be willing to bet you are smiling to yourself right now, as I’ve evoked a memory in you of a song that wasn’t just notes and lyrics.
You’re reminded of a song that embraced you, that felt like warmth, and comfort, and strength and hope. Like laying on your best friend's lap while they brush your hair back, and tell you it will be ok. A song that felt like an escape from reality, a song that made you feel a little less alone and a little more understood.
Letting Go with Music
For me, it was the old spiritual “I Surrender All”. With all the uncertainty and constant changes in the music industry, I was going through a very difficult time in my career.
I had listened to a YouTube video of Oprah telling a story of walking the track at a weight-loss center. Feeling lost, defeated, uncertain, confused by the call she felt and the contrast of the way things were unfolding. All the exact things I was feeling. She talked about how she finally decided to give it all up. Give up trying to figure it out, give up trying to force a path that was starting to feel unnatural.
I remember holding back tears as I too walked the park, and remembered that old spiritual; feeling the surrender she sang of, she felt. Like coming up for air, freedom, a release of an indescribable weight. I could breathe again, I felt life awakening in my soul.
Let's Go Behind The (Science Of) Music
An article published by The AmericanPsychological Association entitled “Musicas Medicine” cites “that music improvesthe body's immune system function andreduces stress. Listening to music was alsofound to be more effective thanprescription drugs in reducing anxiety…”.
Everyone from The APA to Harvard Health to Time has supported and published the evidence and research of the healing powers of music. But while there is a plethora of medical and statistical proof that music has healing powers, it is equally convincing for me to remind you of your favorite song.
It is undeniable that whatever that song was for you, whether you read all the supporting articles, study all the research, or are just simply reminded of how much better it made you feel, you can not only understand, but feel for yourself the physical and mental healing powers of music.
Alaura Lovelight is a recording artist, and vocal performance/confidence coach based out of New York City. She has performed for over 100,000 people nationwide and is the creator of Unseen to Young Queen, a teen girls transformation through music course. Sign up for free weekly confidence tips via the Lovelight Sound Music newsletter and to learn more about her teen girls course via her website: https://www.lovelightsoundmusic.com/
