Music as Medicine

As a kid, I listened to music any chance I could. During car rides, I always asked my mom to put my favorite song on repeat while I leaned against the window and stared out at the world passing by. These moments were perfect recipes for daydreaming, and as I got older and this habit continued, I realized how influential music was in developing my imagination. I feel like songs merge with my imagination and the two become inseparable. Since childhood, music has helped me in so many ways; it’s like medicine for my mind and soul.

As I grew up and became more cognizant of the deep relationship you can have with music, I discovered three primary ways of experiencing this bond. First: active listening. I know that some people just like to have music on in the background—in other words, they prefer passive listening. Although we all do this sometimes, I’ve found that actively paying attention to your favorite songs (either the chord progression, the lyrics, the vocals, or the instrumentals) can connect you to the song in a deeper way. Active listening can also help you to daydream or get inspired for some project.

Listening to music can be very motivational, and honestly, it’s one of my main forms of motivation. Sometimes, we feel weighed down by life; we can get “stuck” in a rut. This looks different for everyone, but for me, it looks like staying in bed and being on my phone for hours, ignoring my creative projects or goals. Listening to music can be so helpful in these moments as it provides a steady beat that fuels you with a sense of progress, or a “drive.” I often let myself get immersed in my favorite songs until I internalize that beat, and it pushes me to get up and get moving again. Even more than that, listening to music can trigger a dopamine release that also gives you motivation in times when motivation is hard to come by.

The second way I’ve developed my relationship with music is through playing instruments and singing. Creating music is immediately gratifying because you can see the results right before your eyes. If you’re playing an instrument, you can enjoy the results of your work during the experience. For example, whenever I need a pick-me-up, I often take advantage of the pianos in the music hall’s practice rooms. Taking that time to have an artistic experience really boosts my self-love and strengthens my self-expression. Of course, as much as music can help you connect with yourself, it also can further your connection with others. Performing music on stage can be so wonderful because you’re creating an experience that bonds the crowd in a shared moment of happiness.

But what if you don’t know how to play an instrument or don’t like performing in front of others? Well, I think pretty much everyone can benefit from just singing in the car with friends. In truth, some of the happiest memories of my life come from these simple moments of driving in a friend’s car and singing out to a song until my lungs feel like they’ll burst.

The last way I’ve experienced my connection with music is through songwriting. The concept of writing songs can sound scary to people who have never tried before, or really, to anyone who isn’t used to writing for fun. I’ve had people tell me they don’t know where to begin with writing songs, but that it sounds like a cool idea in theory.

But I think that so many lyrics are just “thoughts put on paper.” They don’t even have to rhyme – they just have to mean something to the writer, and if that meaning is strong enough, the audience will feel it, too. Lyrics can look like anything: flashes of imagery, hypothetical dialogue, internal thoughts, or anything of the like. If you want to dabble in songwriting, just jot down what’s in your heart. The song starts to really form itself once the writer pulls inspiration from their truest feelings or thoughts.

The good thing about songwriting is that it’s a quick form of releasing emotions that are pent-up or haven’t been explored yet. I know that when I start writing a song, I have a vague idea of what I want to say, but often, the lyrics take twists and turns along the way that I didn’t expect. Your subconscious starts to open through this form of self-expression, and you can even learn about yourself along the way. Sometimes putting those jumbled subconscious thoughts into coherent stanzas can clarify what you’ve been feeling lately. And the good news is that, in the end, you’ve created something beautiful from this process!

Music will always hold a dear place in my heart due to how it’s impacted my journey of creativity, self-expression, and connection with others. I believe that music has an outlet for pretty much anyone to enjoy. Whether that is through listening to, playing, or writing songs, music can be medicine for your mind and soul, and I know it will help me grow as a person for many years to come.

Strike Out,

Writer: Ellie Amos

Editor: Isabel Wilder

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