Healing the Mind, body and Spirit with Art and Music

Mental health, which is an overall feeling of emotional adjustment and well being, seems harder to achieve nowadays.  Statistically speaking, there are more people than ever suffering from clinical depression. Whether this is environmental, cultural and physiological or a combination still remains to be seen, but the fact remains that something has to be done. In a culture that believes a pill is the answer to everything, there seems to be an increase in prescribed psychotropic’s to combat the issue.  The problem with this is the fact that medication only relieves the effects and does nothing to cure the cause of the depression. So, what is the remedy? Research has shown that pharmaceutical free expressive therapies, i.e. the exploration of art or music, have been tremendously helpful in reversing the symptoms of depression. For instance, people who paint, draw or even write poetry are more apt to release harmful emotions via these mediums. You can scream about neglect with words or tell the world about abuse via visual illustration. Feelings of remorse, loss or regret can also be explored, as there is no wrong way to express how you feel.

Indeed, art projects with an emphasis on tapping into the psyche can do way more than a mind-altering pill ever could. In the realms of music the possibilities to aid individuals with depression are also endless. This is largely due to the fact that listening to music or soothing sounds releases the same chemicals that are attributed to happiness, namely endorphins and opiates. These same chemicals help boost the immune system and increase blood circulation.  This could be why musicians may appear to be more laid back and progressive than non-musicians. Art, music and writing have their place in human existence and were most likely introduced as man tried to find ways to unwind from the daily stresses of living. We need not turn away from these aspects of creativity or demean them; instead, we need to embrace them as essential to surviving the hectic pace of modern day life.

Nicky

Hey, you are absolutely right. I've experienced this in my own life. Music has a profound effect on your mood. Thats why I like it nice and mellow. There is nothing better than coming back from a hard day's work and listening to a couple of your favourite tunes before you enjoy the rest of your free time

Solomon (D)

Yeah, I've read this article that some doctors even perscribe uplifting music in conjunction with conventional medication in order to treat depression. I have no idea whether this actually works, but your article justifies this theory even further in my mind.

Tracy Strauss

I find this topic so helpful to people who are suffering from depression. Aside from that, life in today's busy, contemporary world can be very demanding. Daily activities can drain a lot of energy and may bring forth a hectic, stress-filled lifestyle. Based on my experience, I really won't suggest pill as a remedy for depression. Music therapy is the answer.

Roberto M

Music and artwork brings healing power to a person's mind and body. In fact, many artists and medical professionals saw the relaxing benefits of fine arts and music as therapy. When I'm under stress or in moody state, I always make sure that my cd player is on and play soothing music for meditation and contemplation. It really works for me.

Hayden

Hi, this topic is undeniably true. Music have actually been proven to promote relaxation of the body and mind. I believe that medication won't basically do much help and should not be the last resort as it only relieves the effects of the depression. I also remembered that some researchers stated that music may reduce psychological stress, anxiety and depression among pregnant women.

Sue27

Visual imagery gives a new avenue to stress reduction. I bought fine art photos created for relaxation. It provides a warm, soothing atmosphere in my home or in the office and does take the edge off. Art pill is much better than what doctors always prescribe. Indeed, this article enlightens the minds of drug-dependent individuals. Thanks for sharing brilliant ideas.

Blue_sky

In addition to the article, music therapy is even effective on animals and plants. It's like food to our soul. My mom, who is a plant lover, always sing to her plants. They say if plants and trees that grow in company of good music show a growth percentage much more than normal ones that live without the aid of music.

gregor

Great article. I don’t have to be a psychologist or patient to grasp music. As long as any melody and rhythm make me feel myself, it is the best physician a person can find, and best remedy anyone can recommend. It touches everyone’s soul. You will probably losing a part of yourself if you do not connect to any music.

FrauFrau

Everytime I played my guitar, it relaxes me and makes me feel better, free from all the anxieties and worries in life. Now, I understand why making music can release nervous energy and reduces the amount of body and mind activity often associated with stressful situations. For many indivuals, playing of instrumental classics cuts down on distractions and stress.

Jean_Paul

Although I don't have any music ability but I can connect to music and be touched through it. There are many cases in which music connects to my emotions in a creative way. It has been used to ease pain, help with learning and social interactions and strengthen the body, mind and spirit. I must say that music is not a luxury but a necessity.

phoebe

You have made my day. I think one of the most emotion-driven pieces of music is Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven". The ballad is about the pain Clapton felt after the tragic death of his four-year old son. This loss allows Clapton to pour out his pain while putting an inspirational song in the hearts of all who hear this gem and share the same sentiment.

OJ Summers

During my personal struggles, I listen to music and it simply puts an instant smile in my face. Eventhough the problem is still real, my problem seems so distant for a moment. It motivates me to think logically about how to overcome the hardship. I for one agree that music that can can lift us out of depression or move us to tears.

nicole

I'm truly aware that music therapy is much more important than normal medications. The statement mentioned above raise some awareness of the effective power of music. It also stress how the use of music in daily life can be therapeutic for anyone. Another benefit you can get from music is that it strengthen communication skills and peer relationships.

St. Luke

Amen to this article. Music gives peace to the restless and comforts the sorrowful. The terrorist attack on September 11 has been an evident that there is therapeutic power of music. It mends broken hearts and gives hope to everyone. I suggest that we should use music as a tool to make a nation healthier place to live, especially during tough times.

zachary

What an insight. These thoughts provide a deeper understanding that music has a powerful impact on all ages. You know, it's very exhausting to take care of kids but I feel recharged when listening to songs such as Amazing Grace, You'll never walk alone, to name a few. Each growing out of the emotional turmoil I have been experiencing individually.

Eli Bard

Aside from depression, Art education is enormously beneficial to countless kids who suffered from physical or emotional abused, autism, attention deficit disorder and lack of self-esteem. Using art will draw out their fears and problems. I have a neice who undergo this kind of problem and art therapy really helps to give troubled kids a better sense of themselves.

I'm The Favorite

I can't think of any super important part of my life that music hasn't been a part of. Really puts it into perspective. People who think music is just a melody and some words will never understand the power of music.

Soldier Girl

When I was deployed and fighting for my country me and some of my fellow service men would huddle around a junk radio and listen to music--even if we didn't understand the words it helped sooth us. Music is truly a universal, healing language.

Shayna

hear, hear and I concur! I have a friend who was about to commit suicide and she heard a song on the radio that her deceased mother used to play when she was down. She took it as a sign and didn't do it. Music has probably saved more lives than we know.

Pegasus Rider

People try to discredit how music can more you and yet, why is it soundtracks have different styles of music to covey moods. Like, there is romantic music for love, sad music for drama--rock music for energy--music underlines human emotions--to say otherwise would be silly--this blog post is great and on point! Thanks!

Delilah

Whenever I dance I put on the kind of music that will uplift my spirits. That style of music really makes me want to move and get into myself. Music is such an essential part of human existence!

Sasha

Music, like all things in life, has a light and dark side. Some music is spiritual and soothing--others can be mean spirited and have a bad message. When we are trying to heal our bodies and minds we should steer clear of anything that is overly aggressive and stick to music with peaceful and loving words and sounds...

Sad Gyrl

I can tell you all from personal experience that music has helped through many troubling phases of my life. It is so important and I guess it is hard fro me to understand how some people do not know or understand that!

Pegasus Rider

People should also consider the magic that happens when you hear music live. Anyone who has ever been to a great concert knows what music can do. People will yell, dance, sway, cry? How can something that powerful not have any strength to heal?

Soul Stirrer

This post is very thought provoking and true. As most of the posters have said, I can think of so many instances where music has underlines my moods--like when I want to have a proper cry I put on a sad song. When I am in love, I play a love song--when I want to dance I pay something upbeat and fun. Music has meaning, no doubt about it.

Meadow

You know what I love to do. If I have a long drive I pull out my fave CD and sign along as I drive down the road. Makes the drive seem shorter and I have a great time. Music is truly the soundtrack of our lives!

Running On Empty

People often forget that all our experiences exist within the mind and that the human animal can be affected by outside e stimulus. If the stimuli is positive the outcome is positive. A basic no brainier if you ask me...

Sierra

the world is made up of so many different types of people, those who are spiritually connected and those who are not. The ones who are get the importance of artistic things. Those who do not just eat breathe and live. I wouldn't worry about them --either they will come around or they will not.

Delilah

hey everybody! i really like the site. the music is very good and the stories and pictures are lovely! in regards to the post, i am always lifted up with music and art and stuff. Music is important to everyday people and everyday lives.

Richie D

There are many benefits that art brings to a person. It communicates ideas better than words. In addition to that, has been used as therapy and in therapy for mental health development, growth, and wellness. It is a modality that helps individual to find creative inner self and a hybrid between psychology and art. That's why art is a healing tool.

Mama Mia

I had to pipe in and say that I personally feel art helped me beat a disorder others said was incurable. sure, I had medicine on my side as well--but a positive attitude has been clinically proven to help people heal--and music helps facilitate that.

Pied Piper

I don't know which I enjoy more, the music, the beautiful illustrations of the blog posts on this site! I am seriously hooked. And I just had to agree with the other posters don't know how I would function from day to day without my mp3 player...

Sandra Dee

way cool post and perspective. really enjoyed the read and agree with a great majority of it. Gonna explore more of the site since I already really like the tunes.

Pegasus Rider

I am listen to music right now and just delving into my own plane of existence. It's actually the song that was playing when I met my current girlfriend--it always makes me smile.

Laureli

Now that you've said that I know I have to find my mixed CD of love songs I made a few months ago. Made it for an ex but kept it when we broke up. I hear the songs and it just reminded me of the good times...

MiSS_Anthropy

Here’s a question—how may people actually pay for the music they burn when they make those mixed CD’s? I wonder because I feel that true music supporters would pay for the work of their favorite artist!

Decadent Wanderer

I always pay for mine. As a musician I think it would be wrong to take music that isn't offered for free. If it is offered as a sample fine, but of someone wants fee for their wares, they should get it.

MiSS_Anthropy

Oh, I agree -- I hear so many people argue that music should be free automatically--and it should be if it is just a hobby--but if one wishes to make a career out of music, and you like their work--then put your money where your mouth is. This helps them continue to make the music you love--especially if they are an indie artist.

Laureli

Very insightful MiSS -- and you are right. The artist has the right to determine where their careers goes, besides, how seriously woudl we take any entrepreneur if they gave everything away for free. Art is a bit different but when music is a career you have to have a business attitude too.

Artisan

Art should have a business heart but that part shouldn't take over. I respect the craft but think some people tend to get too caught up in the business end and lose sight of what they are suppsoed to be doing which is creating art.

Pandemonium

balance is hard to achieve in all the creative arts I guess but so long as the end product does what it needs to do, which is touch the heart, souls and minds of those who come across it, the other stuff doesn't matter.

Orpheus

There is nothing wrong with using corporate paradigm with art. People who are business savvy tend to get noticed which can make all the difference in the art world.

Fyre Star

Yeah, well, it is hard enough to create--now we have to be promoters, marketers and agents. All hard work. And yeah, it can be done, but it is so much easier when someone else takes on the job. This is why most artists look for a representative to get them out there. The easy way out? Maybe--but it can be quicker than trying to pay for marketing on ones own.

Artemis

In regards to the blog post, I have to say that art is unparalleled in its ability to heal the mind and body. No drug can match its therapeutic properties and in some cases, even the psychologist couch cannot do what art and music can do in a relatively short time. I wish people would offer this as an option to prozac, but of course, they won't.

Ms Kitty

I wonder -- has any in depth studies been done in regards to the way music can heal the mind, body and soul? If there are, this could be a good way to convince the powers that be to leave art and music programs in schools. They have to know how beneficial these disciplines are to children as well as the world...

MiSS_Anthropy

What makes you think they do not already know? They simply do not care. It is about the bottom line with these folks and they only want to give kids the basic fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic. Everything else can go right into the trash for all they care!

Laureli

Miss_Anthropy, I wondered where you went! Well, as much as I hate to say this, you are correct. There is more than enough ample evidence that art and music is good for kids as well as psychological healing. I don't think statistical data alone will win them over to our side...

Ms Kitty

Just a thought I was tossing around -- not sure what else we can do. All I know is that getting into creative projects does wonders for my clinical depression. I am still on meds but hope to one day put them aside and rely on my own devises to bring happiness and spiritual growth.

Sulltry Silence

I find tremendous solace in art and music. I think most human beings do to a certain level. I just think definitions of what music and art is at the heart of the conflict. I am willing to bet that those who wish to take music out of schools love classic music and co feel contemporary music and expression is harming today's youth.

Pavlov's Cat

You may be on to something there! The powers that be know that artists and musicians tend to be progressive thinkers who change the world. If you stop them before they can go on to do this, you can maintain the status quo--i.e. retain power and dominance over free thought.

Johnny

well, I am not sure it is a purposeful conspiracy more than likely it is just money related. If they can't see the value of something they will reduce costs any way they can and so called past times will be the first to go.

Cleopatra

Great points! I found out that art heals by changing a person's physiology and attitude. As what scientific studies tell us, art and music can affect a person's autonomic nervous system and their hormonal balance. Amazing! I have faith that music therapy is the best remedy to someone who is worn out or depressed.

Live Love Laugh

Art heals the body too--literally. They did a study that showed that people who listen to music and indulged in artistic expression lowered the risk of heart attacks in fact, brachial artery flow was said to increase by as much as 26%. If that doesn't help the naysayers understand how music is important nothing will

Tree Whisperer

i read that study. They also said that peopel who laugehd were able to increase blood flow up to 19 percent -- music, art, creative endeavors--they all make us smile laugh and feel good. This is good for body and soul which is why you may notice that folk with such dour, art hating dispositions tend to have miserable, short lives.

BLACK KAT

Miserable lives. Yes. Short lives? No. I don't know if it is just me but it seems as if the most sour and mean spirited folks I know seem to live for ever! LOL

Caterpillar

Big Me I know that music and art will always be the catalyst of beauty and sophistication for the world. Without it the world would be a very dark place indeed.

hale brown

Music therapy relies upon the intrinsic malleable and expansive qualities of the music art form. A child can readily be stimulated or calmed by music, and respond to its emotional expression. The creative process of making music and art in a therapy relationship allows a person with special needs to participate at his or her own level of ability.

Katie P

I completely agree with this one. There are some hospitals use soothing music to help relieve pain and stress and to promote healing and relaxation which affect the autonomic, immune, endocrine, and neuropeptide systems as well as encouraging positive emotional states. Thus, music has a strong contribution to make toward physical and spiritual well-being.

earnest

Undeniably music is a potent force, one which has as much power to debilitate and destroy when incorrectly used as it does to cure and elevate when properly used. I believe that music brings about mind-body balance and release blocked energies. To some cultures, they integrate music, art, dance, and drama in the healing process. Such is the power of music and art.

Tiny Tina

This article really helps those people who have love ones with learning problems. When used in therapy, music can reach even those resistant to other treatment approaches due to its accessibility, familiarity, feelings of security associated with it, its capacity to express the range of human emotion, as well as the joy of creating and being in music.

Keen

Indeed. The healing power of music really fosters communication and relationship with people living with special needs. Those who have have impairments in expressive language, musical improvisation offers opportunity to communicate spontaneously. Relationships develop through the emotional language of music. Moreover, music is also proven effective with adults who have experienced illness, trauma and other challenges in living. Thanks Ylotana for posting this.

Joan of Ark

I'm glad for this article. At some point in my life, I find myself overwhelmed by the intensity of my emotions which are difficult to face either by myself or with others, but art therapy offers an opportunity to explore my intense or painful thoughts and feelings. There’s a beauty that is free to grow, an expression that can be extended, a space that is fun, safe and good to be in.

Blue-Eyes

I'm not an artist but I just find arts as a healing tool for relaxation. Through painting, I'm able to create a visual representation of thought and feelings. I encouraged my manager and staff that are under pressure to try art class and it works for them. Arts instills confidence and promote life enhancing change in the people for which they have responsibilities.

Moises214

Hmmm... I think I should try myself enrolling art session. Thanks for sharing your opinions, Blue. This article is something that I can share of my family. It's very beneficial to people experiencing difficulties with written and verbal communication, especially to children and young people who have problems conforming in school and with personal problems at home.

grey007

Same here. I’m also interested to see how my mind works -- that part of my mind I’m not conscious of. People needs to understand his emotions and feelings. As an individual, on a personal level art could be used as a means of exploring inner issues. Art sessions like photography may improve or maintain mental health and emotional well-being.

Prince Charles

This is pretty helpful for people with severe mental health problems and people with severe learning difficulties. As for the healing power of music, it reduces a person's heart rate, and blood pressure in patients with coronary heart disease. It's very effective. In fact, this has become a practice in some countries.

sapphire

Painting is something that I really love doing today. I was a bit shy before but when I involved myself in group activity like painting, it builds me up confidence by communicating with the group, putting something of mine in the different creations. The experience of group painting was amazing. I meet new friends. That's art therapy.

Frederick

We have the same experiences, sapphire. During my group painting activity, we were encouraged to voice preferences, but once the paint has touched, we are focused, we move around each other to reach the spaces we are drawn to. We leave a mark of artistry, which is a record of dominance, respect, mutual interest, distress and amusement.

Cindy

Group painting sounds like a terrific exercise. I have always stayed to myself but it would probably be wonderful to be around a bunch of like minded, creatively inclined folks. I may look into a local class myself...

Love is Divine

I have just begin exploring this part of myself and it is so revealing. If most people did this maybe we woudl have less people wanting to shoot up place. Think about it--It gets you in touch with yourself--and that is what is needed nowadays, or so it would seem.

Pegasus

I have always wondered what would happen if art was a mandatory aspect of modern living. I think you would seem less uptight people in the world, but then that is just me. On the other hand, people like that hate to look at themselves, so they probably wouldn't do it anyway. *sigh*

Nabeel

Hi, I also remembered that some researchers stated that music may reduce psychological stress, anxiety and depression among pregnant women.