I consider myself a bit of a music junkie. I don’t really have a favorite genre of music as I can listen to almost anything even Japanese pop. People have said music can make them feel many emotions and I’m one of those people. Since the beginning of the lockdown, I have found myself listening to more lofi hip hop beats. This led me to wonder what are the effects of sounds on the brain and if music is effective for treating mental disorders. Music has been known to have powerful effects on the brain. According to the University of Florida, neuroscientist Kiminobu Sugaya and violinist Ayako Yonetani teach a class called Music and the Brain at the Burnett Honors College. It was believed that classical music is the best music to increase intelligence which is known as the Mozart Effect. However, it is found that any music genre will do that and it just depends on the person’s background. People with Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease have a positive response to music. Some health benefits include increase in strength and intelligence, boost immune system, help repair brain damage, and reduce seizures. This can also be considered as music therapy which, according to a source, “...incorporates techniques such as listening to, reflecting on, and creating music to improve a client’s health and well-being.” Research has found music therapy can ease pain and depression in cancer patients and it can reduce side effects of cancer therapy. Music therapy can be used to aid in pain relief and lower anxiety levels before a surgical procedure and ease discomfort during the procedure. There are some stories from people on the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) website that share their experiences with this type of therapy. The pandemic has caused a lot of us to be anxious. The economy is plummeting, people are losing their jobs, food and necessary supplies seem to be disappearing from store shelves day by day. The truth is no one knows what the future will hold. However, I believe we will adapt and make the most out of our situation. I think the best thing is for us to be aware of what is going on but to take time to turn on the music and relax every once in a while. Remember to speak to a mental health professional to see what type of therapies will be best for you.
0 Comments
Since I’ve begun community college I have been feeling an overwhelming feel of loneliness. My daily routine involved going to school and work all the while dealing with my mental health. After a while, I felt as if spending time with friends wouldn’t bring me joy. I started feeling numb to the loneliness. Therefore, I rarely spent time with friends. Thanks to YouTube, I found what I was experiencing isn’t uncommon. This topic is more important than ever especially with human interaction being limited due to the pandemic. My toughest challenge has been getting a good night’s sleep which leads me to have little energy to do work and worsens my anxiety. However, I’ve been taking the time to do activities including learning a new language and spending time with family to help keep me distracted. In the U.S. living alone is the second most common type of household. On the UCLA Loneliness scale, people who were 18 to 22 had an average of 50 points out of 80. The loneliness epidemic isn’t only present in the U.S. but in other countries as well. A study in the U.K. found over 9 million people often, or always, feel lonely. In Denmark, one in ten young people reported feeling lonely despite the country being labeled one of the happiest countries in the world for nearly a decade. In Japan, there is a social phenomenon known as kodokushi which is people dying alone and not being discovered for long periods of time. Loneliness can greatly damage our health. Research has shown that loneliness is linked to higher risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. The good news is some countries are taking steps to help with the loneliness epidemic. For instance, in 2018, the U.K’s prime minister Theresa May appointed a minister for loneliness. There are ways we can combat loneliness ourselves during this difficult times. How to Cope with Loneliness During the Coronalvirus Pandemic written by Arlin Cuncic, lists activities people can do to help ease the pain of loneliness. According to the article, keeping a schedule of what to do each day can help ease loneliness during quarantine. Its also good to track how you are feeling, your activities, and symptoms if sick. “While you do not want to feed your anxiety and fear through constant updates about the state of the virus, keeping up to date on the latest advice and health information may give you an edge when it comes to protecting.” However, it's important to limit media consumption to avoid overwhelming yourself. Yoga, walking around your neighborhood (or treadmill), and Tai Chi are few of the good ways of staying active. The great thing about exercise is that it relieves stress and boosts energy by releasing endorphins. Doing activities that bring you comfort is another way to ease loneliness. A few examples that Cuncic lists are taking a bath, giving yourself a foot massage, and cooking healthy foods. Also, you can connect with family and friends on video chat services, like FaceTime, or join Facebook groups that share the same interests as you. This is a tough time for everyone. Overall, I think it is important to try to use some of this time to take care of ourselves. Its probably best to use this time to relax, try a new hobby, and maybe connect with friends and family. |
AuthorHello, My name is Ashley Downes, I'm a graduate student who has an interest in mental health, film/TV, and music and wants to share that with others. I'm NOT a mental health professional and my blogs AREN'T meant to be a replacement for mental health services such as therapy. Archives
October 2022
Categories |