Sound is one of the ways we perceive the world around us. When you speak, you’re not just sharing stories through language; the prosody of your voice—its rhythm, volume, and pitch—also conveys how stressed or dysregulated you may be.
The Significance of Sound for Wellbeing
In a fascinating study, participants were recorded telling a story, which was then edited to reflect different emotions such as happiness, sadness, and fear. As listeners heard these modified recordings, their psychological states shifted, and they reported experiencing the emotions conveyed. Likewise, listening to music can transform your emotional state. Thus, music serves as a gateway to safety, enjoyment, and overall wellbeing.
In addition to evoking emotions, music has a paradoxical effect that enables you to safely engage with challenging feelings, such as fear. Its accessibility makes music a convenient tool for enhancing your wellbeing and navigating difficult situations and emotions.
Exercise
Consider the following steps and reflective questions:
- Pay attention to how music is woven into your life.
Do you listen to music on a regular basis? Do you have a favorite song or artist? Do you often attend live music performances? Or do you play an instrument or sing, either alone or with others?
- Evaluate the presence of music in your daily life.
Is there enough music in your routine? Do you find yourself longing for more music? If your daily experience is already enriched with music, take a moment to recognize its role in your life and consider how you use it to manage your emotions. - Incorporate more music into your daily routine.
If your assessment reveals that you want to experience more music in your life, start exploring ways to integrate it into your everyday activities. - Identify specific pieces of music that evoke various emotional responses.
Sing along, play along, or move to these different tracks, allowing yourself to fully experience the range of emotions they bring. Embracing this opportunity to feel a wider spectrum of emotions through the comforting medium of music can enhance your overall wellbeing and provide a cathartic release for any feelings you may have been holding in.