Music Is Medicine

I don’t know about you, but I grew up with music. Lot’s of it.
In fact my Dad had speakers in every room of the house that were connected to our main stereo so that whatever was playing could be heard throughout every room in the house whether you wanted to hear it or not lol.

Every Sunday morning growing up in my parents house, my sister and I would be woken up with the “Beatles Brunch” and later in the day my Dad would blast Genesis or Billy Joel or the Beach Boys.
It might sound like I’m complaining right now, but actually it was fantastic. And looking back,  I realize what great music taste my parents had- thank goodness.

Although my own musical taste has evolved and changed on it’s own through the years, from time to time, I always come back to the Ted & Linda Classics: Harry Connick Jr. Sinatra, Lionel Richie, John Denver, Journey, Foreigner, Aerosmith, Styx, Carly Simon & Paul McCartney to name a few…But I’ve found music is so much more than entertainment, or something to help make a mundane task go more quickly, it’s an outlet for the emotions, the soul.

I have memories of being furious at the incessant drama of college dorms when I attended UNH. When I was in a state of fury I would put on my “angry music” (usually Rage Against the Machine or Marilynn Manson) and blast it through the halls. It helped me to feel the anger moving through me, to surrender to it, but then also help me to release it-and of course make it crystal clear to everyone else on my floor that I was piiiiissed. Ah, the drama.

When dealing with heartache & sadness and I barely felt like getting out of bed, playing songs that seemed to match that energy ( (Fiona Apple & Tori Amos), allowed me to linger in it, to feel it a bit more deeply. It allowed me for a time to really harness the power of that emotion & it helped to soothe me. It helped me to “live out” the emotion through the music, through singing at the top of my lungs, even while crying. Somehow, it was easier to let it go, shake it off, and move forward again.

I find that music still does this for me and I was reminded of it today while driving in my car with the music blasting. Sometimes the right song just comes on the radio- and it doesn’t necessarily have to be when you’re having a good or bad day, but somehow that perfect song comes on, that matches your energy in that moment, connects to you and fills you up. When that happens, I can’t help but turn the volume all the way up so loudly that I can feel the vibrations in my chest and it feels so good. And I sing along. The music and I become one.

Music is such a personal thing. So many folks, especially woman, find gangster rap incredibly offensive and downright disturbing. And yet, feminist and all,  it’s one of my favorite genres of music to dance to- and I mean REALLY dance to. Cause you know you can dance to any music, but then there’s the music that just takes control over your body & moves it for you. And you don’t even have to try to “come up with moves” it just happens. THAT’S what rap & hip hop does for me. I LOVE It.

And so despite lyrics, despite the intent of a song, it’s the energy that it brings YOU as an individual. What sounds, rhythms, and yes, sometimes lyrics do you connect with? What fills you up? What helps you to move through life a little easier? Play that music.

Maybe when you’re angry it’s orchestra music that hits the spot. Or when you’re happy you like to listen to classic rock love ballads. Whatever it is, it’s for YOU, so let it help you, because it will.

There may be some of you reading this who didn’t grow up in a musical household and don’t really know what I’m talking about. Maybe you decide to start listening to music and explore it as a means to feel your emotions more deeply and process life’s every day challenges. It certainly won’t hurt.

Remember that when we make time for processing our emotions and give them space to exist (vs. stuffing them away), it heals not only the mind, but also the body & spirit. Stuck emotions are said to manifest into physical illness in many healing traditions around the world. Give music a try… or not.

So,  if you see me out driving around in Dover, and my car is thumping loudly or you see me screaming lyrics like a crazy lady in the driver seat, don’t be surprised.  That’s just me, doing my thing, letting music move me, help me, heal me. And I’m not even a little embarrassed about it. So, give me a little wave too if you’d like:)

What’s your favorite kind of music?

Oh & P.S I’m a Pitta-Vata doshic combo which means I’m FIERY LOL!  And on occasion when an excessive amount of Pitta Passion comes roaring in,  I need to blow off some major steam. Maybe it will be your cup of tea too…

This is a playlist I’ve been building & what I listen to when I’m PIIIIIIISSSSSSED OFF. This play list will totally date me by the way and there’s lot’s of screaming & swearing- you’ve been warned:) (You’ll have to sign into Spotify to listen.) xoxoxoA