The Power of Music Psychology
Music is something that many people tend to take for granted, but in many ways music has a deep and significant impact on their lives. Music has a powerful effect on one’s soul and can exert great influence on one’s mood and emotions. When someone listens to a happy song it can lift one’s spirit while other songs can cause someone to deeply reflect on oneself and other songs can cause despair. Music has the ability to reawaken the soul and bring once dormant and healthy emotions to the surface.
In various studies conducted at Harvard University, it has been discovered that music has the capacity to heal one’s brain, including the damage inflicted by addiction. Therefore, the utilization of music in a therapeutic sense can be an excellent complement for anyone’s recovery plan.
There are a myriad of benefits associated with music therapy. Some examples are the following:
- Help to reduce stress levels—especially with triggers
- May help lower blood pressure
- Helps encourage a more positive mental outlook
- Music can act as a healthy outlet for emotional release
- Music can create a meditative state and can help people deal with anxiety
The Use of Music Psychology in Treating Addiction
The use of music psychology in the treatment of addiction can be of great value to people, especially in the earliest stages of recovery. Music therapy in of itself isn’t enough to help an individual recover from substance abuse on its own but it can be a useful supplement to other types of addiction treatment. The benefits of music therapy for people recovering from an addiction can include the following:
The utilization of music psychology can help those early in recovery rid themselves of destructive emotions and can help mellow out the peaks and valleys.
- Music is an excellent stress reliever
- Music can help relieve the boredom that can be associated with recovery. Boredom can be seen as a relapse trigger.
- Music is excellent for helping people feel less loneliness.
- Music therapy can be all about enjoyment and do is recovery from an addiction.
- Meditation can be a highly beneficial tool for people in recovery. Music can be a good introduction into meditating for those who do not yet have the patience for a more formal practice.
- Music can help renew concentration and focus.
- Music can help relieve depression and anxiety.
If music psychology is being considered in an individual’s treatment and recovery it is important to keep in mind the following things. Firstly, any kind of music therapy should be conducted by a licensed professional who has gone through an approved program. Secondly, therapy of this kind can benefit people of all ages and people don’t necessarily have to be musically inclined to participate or see its benefits. Additionally, there isn’t one particular style of music that is most conducive to therapy: it is dependent on the individual. Ultimately, music therapy as a tool for recovery can open the door to other forms of therapy including exercise and mediation.
Source: Bellina, S. (2022) yourfirststep.org