4 Tips For Using Music Therapy To Cope With Stress

If you're like many adults, you have a lot of stress in your life. Learning to deal with that stress is important if you want to be happy. One way to cope with stress is to use music therapy to calm and relax you. Consider the following tips, and you might start feeling better.

Avoid Listening to Music in the Background

A lot of people put on a little music when they're studying, working or doing other activities. However, if you've decided to use music for therapeutic purposes, make an effort to only turn on music when you are ready to relax and focus on your feelings and the music that is playing.

Try Music Sequencing

While some people like to put on music that puts them in the mood that they want to be in, sometimes it is better to try to music sequencing. To do this, assess your current mood first and choose music that reflects that mood. Then, move on to music that makes you feel more positive. For instance, if you're angry, first you may plan to play a song that reflects the anger you're feeling. Then, choose a song that is neutral in tone. Finally, choose a song that feels happier to you.

Sequencing can help you transform your feelings more gradually, which can be preferable to jumping right into an upbeat song when you don't feel upbeat at all.

Follow Up with Silence

When your music session is over, try not to jump up into your next activity. Give yourself ample time to sit or lay in silence, and take note of any feelings or sensations that you are having. When your body feels calm, take a deep, cleansing breath before getting up and moving on with your day.

Keep a Journal

Keeping a journal is a great way to get in touch with your feelings, but it can be also be a good way to keep track of how well music therapy is going for you. After every session, jot down a few notes about what music you played and how it made you feel. Over time, you will be able to determine what kind of music makes you feel the best, so that you can feel calmer more often.

Use the tips above to ensure that you get the most out of your music therapy. Talk to a medical professional like Mark Montgomery MD FACS to learn more about the benefits of sound therapy and what conditions it can help.