Feeling a little worn out, stressed, or just plain “meh” lately? Well, you’re not alone!
Life can sometimes feel like a chaotic playlist stuck on shuffle, throwing a weird mix of highs and lows at you. But here’s the good news: music can heal you!
Music, the universal language that unites us all—might just be the ultimate healing tool you didn’t know you needed.
From ancient shamans banging drums to modern-day playlists curated for every mood, music has been humanity’s go-to remedy for centuries.
Let’s explore seven ways to use music to heal yourself, along with fascinating examples and expert insights that will make you want to grab your headphones and dive in.
1. Tune Into Your Emotions
Ever heard a song that made you cry in public? Awkward, right? But that’s also the beauty of healing through music—it helps you connect with emotions you didn’t even know were bubbling under the surface.
How can music heal? Well, psychologist Carl Jung believed that art and music allow us to access our subconscious, helping us process emotions we might otherwise ignore.
Take Adele’s Someone Like You—it’s almost a global phenomenon for triggering tears.
But those tears are cathartic. A 2015 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that listening to sad music can actually make you feel better by helping you confront and release your feelings.
Pro Tip: Build a playlist of songs that resonate with your current mood. Feeling heartbroken? Lean into it with some Lana Del Rey or Sam Smith. Angry? Scream along to some punk rock. It’s like emotional detoxing for your soul.
2. Move Your Body to the Beat
You don’t have to be a pro dancer to use music and movement for healing. Ever noticed how dancing at a party or even just bopping along in your kitchen instantly lifts your mood? That’s because music and movement release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.
Take Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Sure, the Regency-era ballroom dances were about socializing, but don’t you think all that twirling and piano accompaniment did wonders for her mental health too?
Pro Tip: Create a “dance-it-out” playlist with upbeat songs you can’t help but move to. Beyoncé, anyone? Her healing energy music is like therapy but way more fun—and cheaper too.
3. Use Music as Meditation
Meditation isn’t all about sitting cross-legged and chanting “om.” Healing music to relieve stress can create a meditative space too. Studies have shown that slow, repetitive sounds—think Tibetan singing bowls or ambient tracks—can reduce stress and help you focus.
Take, for example, Liz Gilbert from Eat, Pray, Love. During her time in India, she used chants and meditative music to calm her monkey mind. The repetitive, soothing tunes helped her find clarity and peace.
Pro Tip: Experiment with different types of meditative healing music hz. Apps like Calm and Insight Timer have curated playlists for relaxation. Or go old-school with some Gregorian chants—they’re oddly calming, even if you don’t know Latin.
4. Find Your Personal Anthem
Remember when Rocky jogged up those stairs to Eye of the Tiger? That wasn’t just for cinematic flair. Having a personal anthem—a song that hypes you up—can give you a mental edge. It’s like your own motivational soundtrack.
Music therapist Dr. Barbara Wheeler has highlighted how empowering songs can be tools for healing through music and building self-esteem and confidence.
So, whether you’re preparing for a big presentation or just need the energy to tackle laundry mountain, crank up your anthem and let it work its magic.
Pro Tip: Choose a song that speaks to your goals and identity. For me, it’s Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. What’s yours?
5. Sing Your Heart Out
You don’t have to be a Grammy-winning vocalist to benefit from singing. Research shows beyond doubt that music and healing are interconnected.
How? Well, singing releases endorphins and even improves lung function. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to release pent-up energy.
Take the Sound of Music moment when Maria belts out “I Have Confidence.” She’s terrified but singing literally helps her power through. That’s not just a theatrical trope; singing really does bolster courage and positivity.
Pro Tip: Sing loudly and proudly—even if you’re off-key. Shower concerts are highly recommended. Bonus: the acoustics are perfect!
6. Use Music to Transport Yourself
Music has a magical way of taking you places—sometimes to memories, sometimes to dreams of faraway lands. Neuroscientists call it “mental time travel,” and it can be incredibly healing.
Take Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. When Jean Valjean sings “Bring Him Home,” the music conveys an otherworldly yearning that words alone couldn’t express. It’s a powerful example of chakra healing music and how melodies can transport you to a higher emotional plane.
Pro Tip: If you’re feeling stuck or restless, listen to instrumental music that tells a story—like movie soundtracks (Inception’s score is goosebumps-inducing) or classical pieces.
7. Let Music Help You Sleep
Struggling with insomnia? Instead of doom-scrolling or counting sheep, try listening to calming music for deep sleep and healing. Research published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that listening to soothing tunes before bed significantly improves sleep quality.
One example? Composer Max Richter created an 8-hour-long piece called Sleep specifically to guide listeners into deep rest. Talk about next-level dedication to nap culture!
Pro Tip: Avoid songs with lyrics before bed—your brain might latch onto the words. Stick to instrumental tracks or nature sounds mixed with music for ultimate relaxation.
Final Note – Music Has the Power to Heal
Music is more than just entertainment; it’s a versatile, accessible, and powerful tool for healing.
Whether you’re listening to spiritual healing music or crying to sad ballads, dancing in your pajamas, or finding peace through meditative tunes, there’s a way to use music to heal whatever’s weighing you down.
So, the next time life gets noisy, use music to heal yourself.
Fight back with the ultimate antidote: your own personalized playlist for healing. Now, go ahead and press play and tap into the healing power of music – you’ve got some serious self-care to rock out to!
