Can Music Help My Recovery?
Can Music Help My Recovery?
Music is a universal that connects people of all cultures and backgrounds. It can be soothing, cathartic, energizing, or simply something that blocks out the noise and allows for greater focus.
As there are many ways that people connect to music, there are also a lot of benefits that music offers to those in recovery. But how is music helpful with recovery? And is it necessary to be a musician to benefit from the therapeutic effects of music?
Do I Have to Play Music or Can I Just Listen to Music?
No, you don’t have to be a musician to benefit from music. Even listening to music can provide outstanding mental health benefits. Music has been shown to be so powerful that it can help to reduce the anxiety of children that have been hospitalized.
There is real, evidence-based research that points to the efficacy of music in the healing process.
How Is Music Helpful with Recovery?
There are a variety of ways in which music can help with recovery and behavioral health. Below are some of the ways you can leverage the power of music to help with your recovery…
Emotional Expression
For musicians, music allows for emotional expression and a sense of catharsis. Playing music in and of itself creates feelings of joy and calm, and writing and performing can help musicians to connect with others and feel less isolated.
Mastery
The feeling of mastery can help in a variety of ways. Mastery of an instrument helps to improve our self-esteem and confidence. This, in turn, can provide long-term mental health benefits.
Distraction
As was mentioned, you don’t need to be a musician to benefit from music. Music offers a fantastic distraction when things get rough. Sometimes escaping into music allows you to let go of the things you can’t change and calm down in times of stress.
Improvements in Mood
Music can greatly improve the mood of the listener. While we all know this intuitively, it’s actually backed by evidence as well.
Below is an excerpt from an article published on the Psychology Today website:
"Listening to music can instill calmness and relaxation, as indicated by reduced cortisol levels and lowered heart rate (de Witte et al., 2020). A large-scale review of 400 studies showed that playing and listening to music also improves the body’s immune system, reduces stress, and promotes social bonding (Chanda ML., Levitin DJ. [2013], The neurochemistry of music. Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 17: 179-93.)."
About Us
If you need additional support that reaches beyond what listening to your favorite tunes can help with and you are in serious need of behavioral health or substance use treatment, reach out to Front Door Health.
Front Door Health provides in-home treatment for patients when they need it. We take an evidence-based approach to treatment, and we create custom treatment plans for our patients to increase their chances of success. Our treatment process is client-focused and individualized. This means no group sessions with strangers and no “treatment as usual” approach. You are unique and the treatment plan we create for you is designed to meet you where you are along your journey and help you to reach your recovery goals.
We understand that it can be difficult to put your life on hold and take time off work or school. Our in-home treatment allows patients to continue to meet their school, family, pet, and other obligations while receiving the treatment they deserve.
If you would like to learn more about in-home treatment, contact Front Door Health today. We’re happy to answer any questions and provide you with the help you need.
info@frontdoorhealthcenter.com
