Most people feel the power of music. It can evoke our memories of the past, entertain us, and very often has a therapeutic effect.
Music was made to be an experience in its own right, but a common misconception is it is best enjoyed under the influence. Music can become an excuse for using substances and to turn up and get high without really paying attention to the sounds. Like this, substances can often stop someone from being ‘in the moment’.
Substances may make memories murky and can stop you from engaging in the music authentically. However, recovery is a time for new experiences and reconnecting with positive interests – your dancing days don’t have to be over!
When we are in recovery, we can appreciate events just for the music and social aspect. It can be very powerful to share an experience with others, especially when you’re sober and have a clear head. Music offers natural highs – it boosts endorphins and even increases pain thresholds.
When we listen to music without any alcohol and drugs, we open ourselves up to its physical and psychological benefits, and counselors have started to focus on these benefits to help people reach sobriety. More and more treatment facilities have adopted music therapy as part of their programs.
Music makes us feel more relaxed and happy, which is much more positive than the rollercoaster of feelings that substances can give you. Here are five suggestions for connecting to music:
There’s nothing quite like dancing when someone wants to connect to music. That said, dancing when sober can be a little bit daunting at first. Some may feel self-conscious, but music and dance can leave us with a feeling of revitalization and joy.
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Dancing can also boost confidence enormously, increase self-esteem, and move you towards better mental health overall!
In the continual hustle of modern life, it can be hard to find a quiet time to meditate. Sometimes, guided meditations or meditation with music are easier and more fulfilling. Try this easy music meditation:
You can use any kind of music, but something ambient and calm would be a good choice as the layers of music can help guide you into a meditative state.
Music can be a great partner for exercise. Whether it’s cardio like jogging or gym workouts or core-based and calming like yoga, music has huge motivational benefits.
Since exercise is good for overall mental and physical well-being, it plays an important role in one’s journey to sobriety. Playing the right music can help you engage better in the process and enhance the pleasure of exercise, which can sometimes be physically difficult.
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Everyone has favorite sounds to put on. Whether that’s tuning into something groovy and upbeat or calming and peaceful – we all have songs that make us feel good. If we get into the right rhythm, music can lift our mood and motivate us to be productive and creative.
So, when beginning your recovery, remember that music might be the key to shifting a bad mood into a good one!
For many people, lyrics can be the most evocative part of the song. We can really connect our experiences to others, and this can be a way for us to heal and gain a bit of perspective.
Sometimes lyrics help us realize we are not alone, even in our darker days. They teach us to embrace feelings, moments, and situations, just like the artist did when they wrote the song.
You may find that in sobriety, listening to music takes on a whole new meaning. Music can be a key to positive experiences rather than background noise when drinking and using drugs. With all its therapeutic and beneficial qualities, many people find music instrumental to their recovery!
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