Music is such a great thing.
It can calm you, fire you up, make you cry, make you laugh, make you think of past times, or give more meaning to something that you’re currently going through.
Think about your first crush in high school. Is there a song that makes you remember a special time with them? When you think about it do you get any kind of emotional or physical feelings?
When clients have a hard time connecting with feelings, sometimes I ask them to think about songs or music, and it is easier for them to identify emotions or to identify the feelings they have in their body and put emotions to those physical feelings.
When people have a bad day, they often turn to music to help brighten their mood. What song, or songs, do that for you? Do you listen to them on a regular basis? If not, why?
When feeling blue pull out all of the coping skills you have to try and get you back on track to feeling better – it really is worth it. Even if you just feel a little happier or uplifted for a few minutes, it’s a nice respite.
Want to try an experiment?
I’m going to ask you to think about songs that go with certain memories, feelings and people, see if you can think of these songs and tune in to your emotions and physical sensations:
- Your first dance at high school.
- Your fist boyfriend/girlfriend.
- The day you realized you were an adult and in control of your own life.
- Your best friend.
- What you listened to when you got your first car.
- The song that you played over and over when your heart got broken.
You may not have wanted to think about some of these memories. Does associating them with a song make it easier or harder to think about these memories?
Try not to forget the power of music to change a mood. When you’re feeling really bad, and want to feel better, bring out this skill and use it. Use as many times as you need or for as long as you need.
Break out those old CDs, download those songs, or check them out on YouTube so that you can have them whenever you need them.
Wishing you love, music and serenity,
Mechele