Better Than Yesterday | #10

Oh, give me the beat, boys, and free my soul. I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away. Lyrics to Drift Away, recorded by various artists, most notable Dobie Gray.

The magic of music. So many of us use music as therapy and never realize it. It can relax us, motivate us, move us to joy or tears, ease pain, help us sleep and bring groups of people together. With COVID-19, live music has been brutally forced into silence and people around the world are feeling the pain. Even churches have gone quiet. It seems these days that the only place to freely sing is in the shower or alone in our cars.

While we can’t enjoy live concerts or sing in groups or around others, we still have an enormous stock of recorded music available to us everyday. It is more important now than ever to make music a part of our daily lives. I’m not talking about some light background music while you are working or having dinner. Dive into your music library and really LISTEN to songs that transport you. Not long ago, I accepted a FB challenge to post 10 album covers that influenced my musical taste. It was really enjoyable going back to the songs and albums that I hadn’t listened to in years. The real benefit I got from the challenge was that I was focused on the music and with that focus, it worked its magic.

There is a ton of research out there about the health benefits of music. I have attached a link below to one article that I particularly liked. The research goes down many paths of the power of music, but most agree on the following benefits:

1. Makes you happy
2. Motivates you
3. Reduces stress
4. Helps you sleep better
5. Eases pain
6. Improves memory
7. Boosts your immune system
8. Reduces depression
9. Brings people together

Keep in mind that music is a very personal experience, and certain sounds can have a negative effect. Just as quickly as it can induce a positive mood, music that doesn’t jive with your brain can bring on feelings of irritation and anger. So choose wisely, my friends! Spend some time to find what moves you.

This week your challenge is to get lost in some music. Use it as a daily meditation. Maybe when you come home from a rough day, stick in some earbuds and lay on the bed and listen to songs from one of your famous “mix tapes” from college. Or enjoy these pleasant fall days with some deck time and your favorite band. Wherever you do it, make it the focus to get the full benefit. Sing along and enjoy the ride!

Link: https://exploringyourmind.com/the-magic-of-music
Link: http://www.facebook.com/1844427850/posts/10214197118362292