April 24, 2007
Relaxation Stress Technique: Use Music For Relief
Music has the power to change the state of your emotions. The music you listen to can be dictating your emotional behaviour and feelings. You can be inspired or you can be put into a stressful state of mind depending on the subject, rhythm, melody, or tempo. Another relaxation stress technique tool used in the recovery process is music. Music can tell a story and it is the way a person interprets this story that brings the personal meaning to the experience.If you are feeling sad, depressed or anxious and you listen to a song about sad events your mood will not be helped.
Everyone has their favourite type of music that sets their mood. For example, I put on dance music with a good beat and play it loud. The music drowns out other thoughts and the tempo and body movements get me physically involved thus taking my mind off of anxiety producing situations.
The lyrics in a song can create an altered state of mind.Sometimes we hear of riots and problems with crowd control at a concert because the music has influenced the crowd and the number of people there create an overflow of energy that spills outward and affects each person, one after another until there is a mass of energy emitting throughout. It is contagious energy that can be destructive or energizing. The music triggers an emotion and the people want to identify with the performers and gain a connection with the whole idea of the concert. You might say that the energy from such excitement could produce anxiety of both types in different people, one being the anxiety that leads to anticipation and the other that produces worry and fear.
On the other hand listening to sleep tapes can put you in a state of relaxation. The atmosphere in the bedroom or your own quite place can help you get the most out of the relaxation product and bring anxiety to a halt. You should be aware of the type of music listened to and where you are listening to it when using a relaxation stress technique. The subject matter can inspire or incite your state of being. . You would not listen to Rap music if you were trying to go to sleep or if you wanted to do Latin dancing you would not listen to country music. There are obviously benefits or detriments to your choices.How does music influence your anxiety level?
Remember, music and the mind are powerful tools to aid or create friction with the anxiety, stress or panic modes we are sometimes in.
Music brings emotion to the surface of our consciousness therefore it inspires us to produce feelings about it. We sometimes can be brought to tears, laughter or experience mixed emotions that trigger our anxious thoughts.
Music affects the senses and is therapy. It can take you to other places in your mind and bring back memories. Worry and fear produce anxiety so put on some music and see if your anxiety level changes. Be aware of the affects that the music is having on you the next time you are listening.
Keep a journal to track what happens as you listen. Listening to music at work or while you are doing an activity such as homework or housework, changes your attitude. Positive affects caused by our choices can decrease the anxious feelings.
Music is only one form of therapy. Even knitting has been used in a therapeutic manner. Art therapy is another form of anxiety expression or reduction. Interpretation is the key in all forms of therapy. What is your mind getting out of the experience provided by theses therapies?
Make your choices by being informed about what you listen to and when you listen to it.
Music can work with or against you. It affects both sexes and children, even babies before and after they are born. Lets make music and the relaxation stress technique a positive force in our quest to take action against anxiety.
I learned a lot from this book. It is the one that got me started on the technique I used to end anxiety. I found it very beneficial. Perhaps you would like to see what it can do for you.
Leave me a comment on this article or on any other topic. I am all ears. You are not alone in the journey to end anxiety.
Tools are important when learning something new. A relaxation stress technique goes into your personal tool chest to be there for you any time you need it.
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Filed under Anxiety by Lorraine Roach
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