Let’s face it; life seems a bit more stressful lately. Prices are sky-high, schedules are busy, the holiday season is upon us, and many other pressures make for tense times. When we as adults feel stressed, our children become anxious as well. If feelings of anxiety and depression creep in, one should always seek help from a medical professional; however, sometimes, the magical powers of music can help alleviate acute stress and anxiety to a degree as well. And best of all, it’s (usually) free!
In an article from Harvard Medical School, Lorrie Kubicek states, “There are times where music can have a clear and immediate impact on our well-being: easing a [toddler] to sleep with a soothing playlist, finding motivation for exercise by listening to upbeat dance music, aiding self-expression of emotions by singing, or connecting to others by attending a live musical performance” (2022). Listening to an upbeat or favorite song can boost one’s mood and provide the energy needed to tackle the next daunting task on the dreaded “to-do” list. The right genre of music can also help evoke emotions required to help one grieve or express feelings.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also stated, “Many people find familiar music comforting and calming. Music is so effective in reducing anxiety that it is often used in dental, preoperative, and radiation therapy settings to help patients cope with their worries about procedures. Music helps decrease anxiety in the elderly, new mothers, and children too” (2010).
The next time you find yourself (or a loved one) anxious or stressed, turn on a happy tune and let the music work its magic!
References and Resources
Lorrie Kubicek, MT-BC, Harvard Health Publishing. “Can Music Improve Our Health and Quality of Life?” 2022 Can music improve our health and quality of life? - Harvard Health Accessed November 22, 2022
American Academy of Pediatrics, “Music and Mood”. 2010 Music and Mood - HealthyChildren.org. Accessed November 22, 2022
Gina Mees is an elementary school music teacher in Sioux Falls, and here is her story:
I was born and raised in Huron, South Dakota, and have lived in this great state for my entire life. As a toddler, I remember climbing up onto my mom’s lap as she was giving piano lessons from our home. Slightly annoyed that some of her students struggled to play every note correctly, I would often stretch my fingers out onto the keys and play the song how it should be played. Playing piano “by ear” was a gift I was given in the womb as my mom played piano and gave lessons. During my high school years, I was deeply involved in the orchestra as a violinist and choir and knew I wanted to continue music into college. I graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Education. I later earned a Master of Science degree in Technology for Teaching and Training.