Healing Through Music

Elton John once said, “Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours”. Rightly said, music is a powerful tool that holds healing potential universally. 

My journey with music 

Music has always played a very important role in my life. Right from when I was a child, I used to listen to music before I went to school. I would wake up and tune to MTV and Vh1 to listen to their morning playlists. As life went on, I realized how music helped me concentrate, relax, grove, and even helped me in my journey of healing. It can help get in touch with your thoughts and even emote effectively. Life is not necessarily a walk in the park. I have had a fair share of tough days, days where I was unsure of my feelings (Yes, even though I am a psychologist). However, with time there was a  realization that music can be one of the factors that could provide us with a safe space and help heal our minds and soul. Music has saved many. It continues to save many. It can calm us, soothe our restless minds, and help organize all our racing thoughts. Thus, it can be safely said that Music is powerful. Music changed me. It continues to help me bounce back from a tough day, from any symptoms of stress or anxiety, and sometimes to just get through the day. Finding the right fit for your healing might take time, but when you do, it will change the way you go through a lot of things. It will make your ability to pull through situations a bit easier. It might even help change your perspective toward various concepts.

Music is an all-powerful tool that irrespective of cultural bounds, gender, or other barriers has the potential to;

• Improve the immune system, 
• Improve heart health
• Reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety,
• Lighten the mood and boost self-esteem & confidence,
• Aid in insomnia and induce deep sleep,
• Manifest positive effects on our brain functions. It can change the way we think, feel and act
• Researchers from the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development have found that music increases memory, focus, and retention as well as maximizes learning capabilities,
• Help in relaxation,
• Increases happiness, 
• Can help to be a form of expression for those struggling with challenges to emote as well as those who are unable to label or assess their feelings.

Music therapy is widely used today to help clients who are struggling with varied health challenges. According to Harvard Medical School, Music therapy is a burgeoning field and those who become certified therapists evoke emotional responses to relax or stimulate people or help clients heal themselves. They can find ways to heal you even in your preferred genre, be it pop or jazz. A session can include the therapist playing for you, with you, or teaching you to play a new instrument. The choice and mode of instruments might vary throughout the sessions. (a physical instrument or even the app on the smartphone). You can sing, hum, play an instrument, or simply listen to them. Whatever you do, it can help you. You just have to find the right fit for yourself. 

Studies suggest that we might need different genres of music for our different moods. Something at a slower pace when we need to concentrate and something at a faster pace when it is time to be active. But that entirely depends on your preferences. There have been clients who have benefited from listening to fast-paced music or pop songs when they needed to concentrate on tasks. It has helped individuals with several types of health challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder to Alzheimer's Disorder. Incidence in their articles library has added music therapy testimonials that you can look up if you have any skepticism regarding its effectiveness.

India is known for its various alternate therapies. One of the most impactful and clinically proven alternatives is Raga Chikitsa or Raga Therapy. The ragas in the Indian classical collection are a blend of soulful compatibility between the seven notes and seven primary chakras in our body. This is one of the reasons for the impact it has on our mind, body, and soul. These ragas are said to affect an individual's emotions and aid in overall wellbeing. The New Indian Express in their article states that “if you use happy lyrics with the melancholic Raga Punnagavarali or Raga Ahiri, the overall effect would haunt listeners. Raga Nilambari can induce sleep, while Raga Bilahari helps alleviate a melancholic mood and Raga Sama can put an anxious mind to rest.” 
Music truly has no boundaries. Its influence is surprising even to several researchers. There have been instances where music has been linked to individuals coming out of a coma. According to reports, In 2005 Corey George, a huge fan of Green Day, was hit by a car on his ninth birthday. He was unconscious for over two weeks clinging to life and on a life support machine. His mother knew his love for the artists, thus she decided to play him his favorite album—American Idiot by Green Day. Much to everyone's pleasant surprise Corey had opened his eyes and was wiggling his fingers and toes less than an hour later. This is just one of many examples where music has played an important role in healing and recovery. As author Hannah Harrington said, “That's what good music does. It speaks to you. It changes you.” 

Music changed me. It continues to help me bounce back from a tough day, from any symptoms of stress or anxiety, and sometimes to just get through the day. Finding the right fit for your healing might take time, but when you do, it will change the way you go through a lot of things. It will make your ability to pull through situations a bit easier. It might even help change your perspective toward various concepts.

Healing is a journey that takes immense effort. There might be times when you struggle to get through the week. If you are faced with any such situation, do not be afraid to reach out for help. You are never alone. There is always help available, all you need to do is grab that helping hand and stay consistent.

‍By Rachel Vaz.