Have you heard of music therapy? Did you know that music is one of the oldest medicines?
Neuroscientist, award-winning musician and composer Daniel J. Levitin has been studying music and how it changes the brain. I was fascinated to learn about the work being done for some illnesses I didn’t know much about, but also on well-known diseases like PTSD, Parkinson’s, and depression. While I encountered I Heard There Was a Secret Chord, in researching this post I found two other books by this author I’m going to have to get my hands on.
Examples from my life:
My mom always had music on when I was a kid, and my father was a DJ. I love a lot of different styles and I play what I feel in the mood for. My mom changed music when my kids were little and suddenly played them classical music instead of the more contemporary styles.
One thing I really enjoyed about the research in this book is that it isn’t necessarily about the style of music, but also about what you enjoy. Levitin did state that sad songs are probably not the best for depression while also acknowledging that each person’s tastes are going to vary.
Music has always been so personal. We love the songs we love, and we each have a few we skip when we hear that first intro. If you read the books, you’ll learn a lot about music and the brain. What I would challenge everyone to do is look at their playlists, search their favorites, and see what it is that makes those songs special to you and how it changes your day to have that music with you.
Examples I’ve learned from parenting:
My daughter loves to make playlists. She has one for each year of school, which means she’s on her third because she’s a junior. Also, she has created a separate playlist for her closest family members of their favorites. Her earbuds keep her connected to music to help her concentrate during school. (Per Levitin, music keeps the anxiety from taking over during the quiet moments of concentration.)
I’ve noticed when I play music, versus language learning or listening to books, I can tackle challenges at work with a different mood.
So, tell me, what role does music play in your life, and how do you use that for yourself?