Calm a fussy baby with a lullaby. Set the tone of your party with hip-hop, jazz, or rock. Turn on a little Tony Bennett or Frank Sinatra to spark old memories in a senior person with dementia.
Music is powerful. Our lives would be pretty solemn without it. Can you imagine television shows, movies, or church services without music? And concerts of all types offer great entertainment at any age.
I appreciate an eclectic array of music genres – blues, classical, rock, contemporary, cultural. I enjoy different types when doing different activities. Rock keeps me awake and alert while driving but classical prompts creativity and calm, clear thinking when writing.
Music has been used therapeutically for centuries. It’s been known to affectively treat or aid a number of mood and psychological disorders. Several universities offer degrees in music therapy. They combine a student’s love of music and a compassionate nature with a goal in improving a client’s quality of life.
One specific type of music therapy is Guided Imagery and Music. GMI is a technique using music to induce an altered state of mind. Once in this state, the images experienced are shared with the guide to facilitate a holistic approach to healing, growth, and transformation.
If you’re feeling down these cold, dreary days, put on some happy music. It’s not a week on a Caribbean beach but it will improve your mood.
©2014, Mary K. Doyle
Midwest Mary 
Thank you, Mary. Your post reminds me of something I learned a long time ago when I was a nursing student. One of my clinical rotations was on a unit for people with Alzheimers/dementia. Every Wednesday, the unit had a music hour and it was fascinating to watch how affected the patients were by the music of their past. Even though most of them couldn’t remember anything from one minute to the next, they could remember the words to the songs. Religious hymns moved many of them to tears, and I think this reaction showed that hymns touch the core of who we are and is something that we intrinsically know and remember.
Thank you for your observation Terry. I’m finding that to be so with Marshall. Music has such magical and medicinal affects on the human psyche.
Hi Mary, I’d like to give you 3 blog awards to start the New Year. The awards are for this blog and for Saint Theodora blog. Details on my blog: http://8kidsandabusiness.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/better-than-the-oscars/
Thank you, Terry!
Music can be the balm for the soul!