Almost everybody I have talked to has at least one specific way or thing that comforts them and touches deep to their soul, whether it’s; working out, food, music, hanging out with friends, spending time around animals, being alone, reading - really anything that takes their mind away to a different space. Music is my thing. I say to myself everyday (not to be dramatic) that if today were my last day, did I listen to good music? There is something about music that makes me feel like I am in the song, I can feel it in my bones and throughout my whole body, and to be completely honest, music heals me from this. If I ever get too deep into my head, get in an altercation, go through something emotional, I always fall back to my music. I will; crank the music in my shower, in the car, in my headphones, or in the house when I’m alone, and I just let the music do its magic. It works every time. I will dance, sing or just simply listen, even if it is only one song, I feel better. There is a study that the “Sleep Foundation” wrote, stating: “Several studies suggest that music enhances sleep because of its effects on the regulation of hormones, including the stress hormone cortisol. Being stressed and having elevated levels of cortisol can increase alertness and lead to poor sleep. Listening to music decreases levels of cortisol, which may explain why it helps put people at ease and release stress.” It is reassuring that music is actually scientifically proven to relieve stress. Music takes me back in time - there are certain songs that I associate with past memories, people and events. What I love about listening to these certain songs, is that it doesn’t make me dwell on the past, it makes me feel extremely thankful for how life has played out, even the bad times. Sam Cooke (the King of Soul) was an artist from the 1950’s and 1960’s, he is not only my favourite artist, but he is also my biggest role-model and inspiration. I am not putting this lightly when I say discovering his music changed my world. It opened up my mind, changed my perspectives and gave me a deeper understanding of this crazy world. If you love old music, here is a link to my playlist. Listening to music brings people together. Strangers, friends, families, partners, it has a way of uniting everyone. Singing along to you and your best friend's favourite song, howlin’ away at a classic song with your family, belting out “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas” on Christmas day - there is something very special about it. Even if nobody knows the lyrics or what the song is saying, there is always someone tapping their foot, humming along, dancing, or simply just listening to the song. A large amount of the music I listen to is in a different language, and I have absolutely no idea what the song is saying, but I can still always feel the music. You can really get to know someone based on their music. I truly believe that the music a person listens to, reflects who they are as a person. Many of my fondest memories involve music; sitting around the campfire with the speaker, shouting songs in the car, working with the music playing, dancing with my friends, singing with my grandma, it is such an influential part of my life. I really mean it from deep within me that it has a way of healing. Next time you are frustrated, sad, happy, excited (anything), play your number one favourite song, and see how you feel after.
Claire B
15 Comments
Sold! For $500 the art piece Escape by Deborah Leigh. Deborah Leigh is my aunt, and over 9 years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and in a period of coping with mental illness. When diagnosed in her late 50’s she started to “doodle” to help her relax. If someone told her then that she was going to sell hundreds of paintings around the world, she would have laughed in their face. My aunt needed a get away, a healthy way to manage what she was going though, and what spoke to her was art therapy. Art therapy is a method of creative expression that can help heal and strengthen mental well-being. This can either be creating it or viewing others art, it helps with expressing emotions, work on social skills and self-awareness as well as boost self esteem and cope with stress. The main goal of art therapy is to find a new personal way to help you with your struggles. This treatment helps improve the mental health of people who have to deal with addiction, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss, cancer, dementia, PTSD and many others. What makes this method so amazing is that you don't need to have artistic ability or “talent” and it doesn't matter what age you are because everyone and anyone can benefit from it. There are also no rules in art, so if you feel like painting with your nose, so be it, go right ahead. Your art can also express as little or as much as you want. You can show the darkest memory you have or just paint a happy flower in the sun. Art is art and there is no judgement or limitations. There was a study done in https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17482631.2016.1267343 (2017) in a hospital where the employees displayed different types of art to see how the patients would react. And the study found that the patients felt more safe and it improved socialization. Art has been used to communicate and as a form of self expression for centuries. But this type of therapy has not been official since the 1940s. Professionals have realized that people who suffer from mental illness repeatedly expressed themselves in their sketches and artwork. This lead to using art as a healing strategy. Ever since then, this technique has become one of the most important therapeutic techniques. Lucy G |
Categories
|