Hillingdon Mind - Music and Mental Health
My aim with these articles is to raise awareness of how beneficial music can be to all of us. This was highlighted when I sat in on the 'Music in Mind' group, led by Eva here at Hillingdon Mind. I noticed that service users who are usually shy, or sometimes withdrawn and not able to voice their feelings- were able to express themselves and feel included. It was as if the music channeled through to some sort of inner happiness.
Something I always encourage with my clients, is to write down their thoughts. This process can be so therapeutic, so healing. Feelings and thoughts can come out as lyrics, poems, stories, or in a diary or journal form. It's the transition from head-space to paper, and being able to view thoughts from a different perspective that seems to have so many benefits. It can be a relief.
With this in mind I wanted to get some musicians input into this area, to raise awareness, and to inspire people to get writing, listen to, and play music. It can help with a variety of mental health conditions. It can help anyone.
Chris Phillips - Hillingdon Mind
Chris Phillips talks to John Frusciante - Guitarist from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Olly Knights from Turin Brakes, and asks about the subject of...
Music and Mental Health..
Red Hot Chili Peppers Guitarist John Frusciante Talks To Mind about Mental Health Well-Being and his Solo Work.
John Frusciante Part 2 - Chris Phillips talks to John about how music influences on one’s mind state.
John Frusciante Part 3 - Chris Phillips talks to John about meditation.
Chris Talks to Olly Knights from - Turin Brakes.
Hand Written Lyrics - Donated by the Artists.
Music often elicits more emotional responses than language. Many believe that music could be used for mental health treatments to relieve emotional disorders or to help aid emotional processing in the mentally impaired. Because music is helpful for relaxation, it also provides stress relief that likely has beneficial consequences for the immune system.
Music has the power to relax, stimulate and elevate mood. By relaxing us, it can promote deeper, more restful sleep. Hearing uplifting music when we wake up in the morning can keep us in good spirits throughout the day.
Hearing certain songs can also have a profound effect on our emotions by reminding us of special events or people.
Music can also be very sociable. Going out dancing with friends or relaxing with a favourite CD can improve our mood and help us feel connected.
Recently you may have heard that pregnant women who listen to classical music, particularly Mozart, are less likely to be stressed, depressed or anxious.
The truth is you don't have to be pregnant to get the benefits of listening to music and it doesn't have to be classical, in fact studies have indicated that listening to any music that is personally enjoyable can have positive effects.
All that said, what's it like from the other side; if listening to music has such a profound effect on our emotions, what must it be like for the musicians that actually create the music that makes us feel so good, especially when you consider the fact that the inspiration for most song lyrics have a much deeper meaning to their creator, so how do the musicians cope with their emotions.