How Music Can Help You Recover From Tough Times
We often turn to music to express ourselves; our heartaches, our joy, our essential personality traits, and our life events. But did you know that music also helps you recover from serious troubles, like addiction or chronic stress? Music therapy is a growing treatment trend, and for good reason. As the NAMM Foundation explains, studies indicate music is loaded with benefits, from improved emotional expression to better cognitive function to improved memory.
Read on to learn more about the practical application of music therapy.
Music for Overcoming an Addiction
A main benefit of music therapy for drug abuse treatment is that the participants enjoy it, which means they are likely to come back, but of course, the perks don’t end there. It also helps the participants feel like they are part of a group, which reduces isolation. Some programs work with patients to learn to play music, write songs, evaluate lyrics and create rhythm circles. All of these methods work toward helping patients get in touch with their feelings surrounding their addictions. If your rehab facility offers music therapy, give it a shot. You’ll likely enjoy it.
Music for Boosting Brain Power
Music is an effective tool for overcoming an addiction, but it’s also an effective tool for anyone. Classic FM reports that learning an instrument can help your brain in many ways, improving cognitive function and academic prowess, and it can even help with healing from brain trauma.
Studies indicate that musicians have stronger long-term memory, as well as better language processing and communication. It does this by helping your brain make better connections in its neurons, or brain cells and it engages pleasure and reward systems in the brain. Children who learn starting from an early age are better at math and problem solving, too.
Music for Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Music is such a powerful tool, you don’t need to play an instrument to reap therapeutic benefits. It’s useful just to listen. Per PsychCentral, listening to slow, quiet classical music can slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormone production. Those experiencing anxiety can have similar results from listening to music, and for those seeking treatment for depression, music therapy is shown to have positive effects like reducing muscle tension, boosting self-esteem and enhancing motivation.
Getting Plugged In
If you’re unable to access music therapy, you might consider learning an instrument on your own. When you’re new to recovery, incorporating a new hobby into your daily routine is a great way to channel your energy in a positive way. Learning a musical instrument is great for those in recovery because it gives you something to focus on instead of your addiction, and it will keep your hands busy. It also gives you something to do every day: You have to practice to get better. Take an assessment through The J-RO School of Music to determine your skill level and to get a customized lesson plan.
The Places You’ll Go
A professional musician has many opportunities to share their work, whether that’s through performances, joining a local music group or even teaching. In fact, if you pick up a musical instrument quickly, and if you have a knack for teaching, you could join a local music business or even start your own. Bear in mind that if you start your own business, it’s important to understand all that goes into running a successful business. It could pay off to go back to school to earn an advanced business degree so you understand the necessary management, strategy and leadership skills necessary to run your business.
Once you’ve become a musician,you’ll be proud of your accomplishments and know that if you can learn this, you can do just about anything. You’ll have begun to reinvent yourself while healing your brain. That’s a major accomplishment that you’ll be very proud of.
The J-RO School of Music is here to help you become a confident musician or singer. We offer a range of lessons for music styles and instruments. Get a free assessment today!
Read on to learn more about the practical application of music therapy.
Music for Overcoming an Addiction
A main benefit of music therapy for drug abuse treatment is that the participants enjoy it, which means they are likely to come back, but of course, the perks don’t end there. It also helps the participants feel like they are part of a group, which reduces isolation. Some programs work with patients to learn to play music, write songs, evaluate lyrics and create rhythm circles. All of these methods work toward helping patients get in touch with their feelings surrounding their addictions. If your rehab facility offers music therapy, give it a shot. You’ll likely enjoy it.
Music for Boosting Brain Power
Music is an effective tool for overcoming an addiction, but it’s also an effective tool for anyone. Classic FM reports that learning an instrument can help your brain in many ways, improving cognitive function and academic prowess, and it can even help with healing from brain trauma.
Studies indicate that musicians have stronger long-term memory, as well as better language processing and communication. It does this by helping your brain make better connections in its neurons, or brain cells and it engages pleasure and reward systems in the brain. Children who learn starting from an early age are better at math and problem solving, too.
Music for Stress, Anxiety and Depression
Music is such a powerful tool, you don’t need to play an instrument to reap therapeutic benefits. It’s useful just to listen. Per PsychCentral, listening to slow, quiet classical music can slow your heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormone production. Those experiencing anxiety can have similar results from listening to music, and for those seeking treatment for depression, music therapy is shown to have positive effects like reducing muscle tension, boosting self-esteem and enhancing motivation.
Getting Plugged In
If you’re unable to access music therapy, you might consider learning an instrument on your own. When you’re new to recovery, incorporating a new hobby into your daily routine is a great way to channel your energy in a positive way. Learning a musical instrument is great for those in recovery because it gives you something to focus on instead of your addiction, and it will keep your hands busy. It also gives you something to do every day: You have to practice to get better. Take an assessment through The J-RO School of Music to determine your skill level and to get a customized lesson plan.
The Places You’ll Go
A professional musician has many opportunities to share their work, whether that’s through performances, joining a local music group or even teaching. In fact, if you pick up a musical instrument quickly, and if you have a knack for teaching, you could join a local music business or even start your own. Bear in mind that if you start your own business, it’s important to understand all that goes into running a successful business. It could pay off to go back to school to earn an advanced business degree so you understand the necessary management, strategy and leadership skills necessary to run your business.
Once you’ve become a musician,you’ll be proud of your accomplishments and know that if you can learn this, you can do just about anything. You’ll have begun to reinvent yourself while healing your brain. That’s a major accomplishment that you’ll be very proud of.
The J-RO School of Music is here to help you become a confident musician or singer. We offer a range of lessons for music styles and instruments. Get a free assessment today!