How Music has Improved My Life

Have you ever listened to a song that moved you to tears? Or calmed your nerves, or brought you into a moment of pure bliss? 

I wouldn't be surprised if all humans (that have heard music) could relate. Music seems to be an intrinsic part of our culture and experience. It's in us and all around us. Our hearts beat, birds sing, our entire reality is a melody played by the all-encompassing One. 

Alright, I may have lost some of you there. But you can't deny that music is trippy as &%@!; having a profound effect on our consciousness and experience. Some of the greatest moments of my life have occurred while listening to music. So I would like to dive a little deeper into my own experience and examine how music has positively impacted my life, and could also benefit yours.

Mood Uplifting and Emotional Regulation

It's not surprising that music has been shown to improve mood and our mental/emotional states. Nothing seems to boost my mood better than putting on some music in the morning and getting into a bit of a dance while I get ready. This could also be linked to my second point, which is partially due to the nature of moving our bodies. However, even without dancing, music seems to have a way regulating our emotions. It can make us joyful or sad, or can even have an energizing effect. Obviously, music is known for inducing profound highs but it can also bring on those profound lows, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If I find myself feeling down, I will put on a Fleet Foxes album and sometimes tears seem to follow. This type of release always makes me feel calmer and more refreshed, allowing the release of pent up emotions and energy that I have accumulated from those stressful moments. Life, what a beautiful trip!

Induced a Love of Dancing

One of the greatest moments of my life was the first time I discovered that I loved to dance. I was about 8 years old, attending a family wedding when my mom taught me a few simple steps. Once I was finally on beat, I didn't leave the dance floor. It seems my dancing went on a bit of a hiatus in my teens, busting out when I had a couple beverages and my inhibitions were down. Now that I am older, dancing has come back into my life in full force and whenever I have a chance to really get into a groove, I let it all out. 

Dancing to me is necessary to live a happy stress-free life, which brings us to my next point. 

Reduction of Anxiety or Stress

Music has been proven to reduce anxiety and stress in many people [1] and I am definitely no exception. I'm sure every music lover has that one song that can induce a state of relaxation whenever they listen to it. I know I have and will continue to use music as an aid in relaxing myself. If I feel on edge, stressed or if I just drank too much coffee, I usually take a break from work and listen to a few of my favorite musical compositions. This allows me to get back to whatever I'm doing in a more calm, collected and relaxed state. 

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
- Bob Marley

An Outlet for Creative Expression

Whether it's playing guitar or mixing and producing electronically, music is and will continue to be one of my forms of creative expression. Although I love to solve problems and learn technical skills, I find I am more productive when I give myself time for play and expression. In our present society, it's so easy to say "I'd like to do that, BUT I have more work to do." Next thing you know it has been another full week without relaxing the mind for more than 10 minutes. Depriving yourself of your right to PLAY! 

I personally have now slotted play time into my schedule as I know it is easy to get burnt out or get into long bouts of unproductive "work" without regular play. Whether that is through playing music, mixing music, or moving my body to music. 

Music in Meditation

I remember being a kid and getting my first guitar. It became my escape from boring television shows and dramas within my family. I would quietly collect myself, after finishing all my homework of course, in my basement or someplace where I wouldn't be heard or judged. Nothing to "do" but play. I think this is one of my first unconscious meditative practices. I remember becoming aware of how I played when I was thinking and how I played when I was feeling. The moments spent in the latter definitely was when I really found my own musical style. 

Now that I have grown and evolved, meditation has become a regular part of my daily routine, with music being a regular part of this meditation. Most if not all guided meditations involve some type of music. Meditation that includes binaural beats and other frequencies generated from crystal singing bowls or even drumming have brought me into states of intense clarity, bliss, excitement, and relaxation. 

Although one of my favorite qualities of music is to bring us out of our rational thinking minds and into a more feeling state, I find these points very interesting and hopefully they may motivate you to explore the endless benefits of organized sound. 

Much love!

Craig

 PS. If you want to get into a groove today check out this album. :)

If music be the food of love, play on. 

 - William Shakespeare

[1] http://news.health.com/2011/08/12/music-eases-cancer-patients-anxiety-study/