For many of us music is a huge part of our daily routine. Some of us may rely on it for comfort or for entertainment purposes while others may use it to express their thoughts or feelings. We often turn to this for relief because it is something that we feel we can relate to in one way or another. It can help us when we are confused, angry or sad and it may help us calm down in stressful situations. Music can have such a large impact on our cognitive and emotional state which is why music therapy is widely practiced and benefited from.
While different genres are soothing for different people, it’s quite often that culture based music has a huge impact on personal healing. This is due to the fact that our culture and household did somewhat shape us into who we are. It may bring us comfort because it takes us back to our roots, home, childhood or family. The therapeutic effect could heal us because it really does relieve any emotional or mental pain.
Since music can bring us happiness it can also bring us sadness – which is why we should identify with the sound that makes us happy so that we can control our emotions to some extent. Keep in mind that both audio and visuals have emotional associations. Ultimately, music is an abstract form of language which is why many businesses or restaurants will choose the music that they play to create a certain feeling for their customers. They will also incorporate a color scheme into the environment for the purpose of evoking euphoria.
While not every listener is the same, the way that it makes us feel often produces some sort of an altered state that may help us through the hardest of times. Even if it does not relate back to the pain that we are experiencing, it may help us express our creativity while we are working on a difficult project. It is used in classrooms alone to help people express themselves in a socially acceptable manner. Studies show that music therapy is beneficial because it is a mood booster and a pain reliever. It may help people cope with their anxiety or stress by simply keeping their mind busy.
It is possible for anyone to become a musical therapist. There are college programs and undergraduate programs for students who show an interest in helping people. There are various degrees and an approved curriculum for students who want music based education. Music therapy is a great service as it is a holistic and a powerful remedy for a very large group of people. Being that music is a universal form of communication; we can see how it brings the people together and helps them heal or simply find relief.