By Arthur A. Burley 
These are difficult times. Our quality of life and safety in the world are all being affected by the current political climate, war and the impact of global warming. We can all find moments of calm and shift our minds from the daily grind. Music can help many people make that shift, even incrementally.
How can music influence our quality of life?
Researchers recently looked at the effects of music interventions on health-related quality. They tried to answer the question of how to make that shift towards relaxation, release, and rehabilitation. A meta-analysis, a systematic review of recent studies, showed that music interventions (singing, listening to, and therapy with music) could significantly improve mental health and lessen the physical health-related quality of life. Although the research positively affected the psychological quality of life, they did not find the best music intervention for everyone.
Complexities in music
Our connection to music is personal because we are complex beings drawn from many cultures and with different life experiences. Music can have a complex, beautiful, and sometimes vulnerable relationship that changes depending on our moods, preferences, social situations, and past experiences. Music can sometimes have an immediate and clear impact on our health.
- A soothing playlist can ease the transition from sleep to wakefulness
- Listen to upbeat music and find motivation to exercise
- Singing can be a tool to help you express your emotions.
- Connect with others by attending live music performances
Protect yourself against chronic inflammation
Science has shown that chronic, low-grade inflammation can lead to silent death. This could be a contributing factor in the development of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases. Experts at Harvard Medical School share simple ways to combat inflammation and remain healthy.
A board-certified music therapist may be able to help you with other situations.
What can music do to help you relax?
Music Therapy is a well-established health care profession that employs evidence-based music interventions in order to achieve therapeutic goals. Music therapy is a relationship between a patient and their caregivers or family members.
Music therapists employ both active (singing and instrument exploration, songwriting, songwriting, and movement) and receptive interventions (music listening, guided imagery, playlist creation, music conversation and reminiscence), to achieve goals that improve health and well being.
These goals might include decreasing anxiety shifting your mood, decreasing the pain perception during cancer treatment, increasing expression, motivating yourself, and many other things. Music therapy can help you determine the best approach for your particular situation.
A small stroke is not a stroke
Strokes are the fifth most common cause of death in America and a major cause of disability. Harvard Medical School experts will help you understand your chances of having a stroke. They also provide evidence-based ways to lower your risk.
This intervention is the most studied in nearly every situation. You can do it on your own, or with music therapy. You can either record or live the music. You can listen with or without intention. For emotional release, you can amplify emotions. Music can be used to calm the mind. You can also use the iso principle to match music to your mood or energy, then gradually change the tempo and complexity of the music to help you shift. You can pair music listening with prompts to relax, to encourage you to move more, to do something you have been putting off, or to help you get motivated to do something.
Learn or play an Instrument
Your entire brain is engaged when active music-making is done. This allows for distraction, pain relief, cognition, fine motor development, expression, and cognition. Some instruments can be used to facilitate learning and expression.
A Learn the ukulele to stimulate your cognitive brain. You can push the strings easily, you only need one or two fingers to create beginner chords, and you will find many great ukulele resources online. It can be fun to make music with an instrument.
A music therapist who is board certified can help you determine the best path to musical expression. It takes patience and practice to master an instrument and learn how to read music.
Singing
If you are able to connect to your voice well and/or have good music therapy relationships where you can help build your connection with your instrument, this can be a great intervention. Singing can improve lung function, and lyrics that are true to your heart can have emotional benefits. The power and connection that comes from being surrounded by tight, strong harmonies is also a benefit.