As we are all well aware, music is an effective and popular coping mechanism amongst every generation. From pop culture to entertainment, to TV, to real life, we all have seen and felt the effects of how powerful music can be. Music quite literally saves lives. The amazing part of music is that no two people will take in, apply, and comprehend music in the same way. We take an artist's thoughts and feelings and apply them to our own life experiences. However, did you know there is a science to the benefits of music?

• Music acts as a medium between creativity and how we process our emotions and thoughts, including our trauma. It helps create positive associations with how we have coped and moved past these events. Creating resilience, value, and the most powerful effect of being understood.
• Music is a natural mood regulation tool, as well as something that helps us pinpoint our moods. When we are feeling sad or depressed, we will typically put on something that provides us comfort in this feeling. Allowing us to cry or release, or something opposite that stimulates and helps us redirect those feelings.
• Artists help us empower ourselves through words, and express topics that might be hard to identify or explain in words.
• Music assists in the way we focus and motivate. Science shows that music at least 60 BMP aligns with our thought patterns to sharpen focus and take in information more effectively. Repetitive sounds pass through our neocortex which calms and allows focus.
• Music creates memories and chemical reactions with appropriate associations. Music that relates to powerful moments in our lives, allows us to remember certain people or aspects of ourselves. Music releases oxytocin.

Enough with the science and deep dive into what music does for us. We all can agree that we have a song or two (or three) that create very specific reactions - but how is it used in therapy? How can it be applied more effectively to our health?

• Many of our therapists utilize nature and lofi music to create a safe and welcoming environment in our offices, or they utilize meditation music for high-anxiety clients. This helps to ground them in their feelings and create a positive association with processing their thoughts and feelings.
• An interpretation tool - using multiple forms of media to better explain or understand their emotions. Clients have sent me songs to help me understand their feelings and vice versa.
• Empowerment! You have no idea how many times I have quoted a song to help empower and further deepen a concept for a client of mine.
• Memory recall and processing. For trauma therapy or in general memory recall, music can help a client recall specific information, in the office or at home while processing.
• Lyric and sound analysis. What does this mean to you? How does it apply to how we are feeling?

We recommend analyzing your favorite songs and music to better understand yourself, and your needs as a human. We can use this to help interpret and empower in the therapy process. If you'd like help better understanding yourself and how to cope, or if this all resonates with you - feel free to reach out to a therapist at Orlando Thrive Therapy today. Don't just survive when you can thrive.

Playlists to Try:

• https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3vOnmaVL80Rk0wGO16YhCj?si=f5bdc8f1b7eb4284
• https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6IxtDAJp2k3ZocURJ5AAsH?si=8eb877c90db44c95

To contact the author of this blog, reach out to Mallory Hawkes, LMHC, at Orlando Thrive Therapy.