But, humans are known as social animals. We are just not meant to live our lives in isolation. Ongoing lockdown is affecting us not just economically, but also mentally. During these stressful times, videos of people singing from their balconies, or dancing in front of their houses to catchy music, or police officers playing guitars while taking rounds, brings a smile on our faces. We have found a new way to communicate with other people without violating social distancing. MUSIC has become a medium to connect with people from all over the world.
People who are into music have engaged themselves in creating new tunes and songs and sharing it with the world. Most of these tunes and songs aim at generating hope and bringing peace among their audience. Listening to music, singing, and playing an instrument is turning out to be a breath of fresh air in this dark and depressing phase.
- Lockdown and Our Mental Health
The ongoing lockdown has toppled our lives upside down. We all are living in constant fear. The thought “what if this virus enters our life’ continues to bother us day and night. This unknown fear and isolation are causing nervousness and anxiety among numerous people.
The impact of COVID 19 can be seen not only in the people who are already suffering from mental conditions like OCD, depression, or anxiety. But also, among numerous older people. They are finding it difficult to cope up with the increased levels of helplessness and loneliness.
Though people are trying their best to keep them occupied but still the imposed restrictions, lockdown and isolation have made them vulnerable to various psychological conditions.
- The Power of Music
Various studies and research have shown that music helps in reducing stress, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Music is all around us. There is a reason that listening to falling raindrops or ocean waves relaxes our mind, body, and soul.
The power of music is such that listening to fast music can increase your blood pressure, heartbeat, and breathing. Whereas, a piece of slow music, calms and relaxes our body and mind. Music has a universal appeal. Good music is liked by almost every individual irrespective of language or the region.
- Why Music is Beneficial During Lockdown:
– Reduces Lockdown Stress
Coronavirus crisis has increased the stress and anxiety levels among individuals. Everyone is just talking about this deadly virus, be it television, mobile messages, websites, or social media platforms. Too many reminders and too much information have created an unknown fear among us.
Regular exercise, meeting people, etc. is crucial for the emotional wellbeing of older adults. Because of the lockdown, they are restricted to their houses. Controlled living conditions and inability to meet their near and dear ones, has aggravated the feeling of loneliness in them.
With kids and husband being at home 24/7, women are not getting any time for themselves. Many women are complaining about being stressed.
Music (especially slow music) helps in reduces stress levels. Listening or playing slow music is known to have a positive effect on our brain and body. It can lower heart rate and blood pressure. In addition to this, listening to music reduces cortisol (stress hormone) levels in our bodies.
– Helps to Improve Mood
Music is known to regulate our emotional state. It can play a vital role in the way we feel. Music stimulates the production of a chemical named dopamine or happy hormone in our brain. This further results in improving our mood. Hence, listening to our favorite song brings a smile on our face, whereas listening to a sad song might bring tears to our eyes.
In this scenario, where every minute we’ve been updated about the number of people getting affected or dying because of COVID-19, music helps us in not only uplifting pour mood but also enable us to forget about this dreadful disease for some time.
– Help Lower Anxiety
Living our life under so many restrictions, the constant fear of coronavirus, uncertainty about the future, inability to meet our friends and family, etc. might increase anxiety. Studies have shown that listening to music stimulates various neurochemicals that are crucial for the proper functioning of our brain.
Listening to music helps reduce anxiety levels by lowering cortisol (stress hormone) in the body.
– Learning Music is Best Activity During Lockdown
Learning music is one of the best ways to keep ourselves stress-free or our kids busy during this lockdown. Thanks to the internet, we can take “music lessons” while sitting in our homes. Numerous apps and websites, are available from where you can learn to play your favorite instrument.
– Helps to Maintain Social Distancing
Music allows us to socialize with our friends, family, neighbors, etc. while maintaining social distancing. You can compose music with your friends or sing your favorite songs through video chats.
If you want, you can even sing songs with your neighbors while sitting in your balcony. This would give you a sense of belongingness.
- Bottom Line
Coronavirus might have succeeded in slowing the pace of our life or changing the way we were living our lives, but thanks to music, it still could not take our spirit to fight this dreadful disease. So just plug in your headphones, listen to your favorite songs, pick up your guitar, and play your favorite tune. Remember, it’s a phase, and it too shall pass.
Author Bio:
Curtis Dean writes on behalf of Sage Music School where they base lessons on the science and research of the psychology of learning. Their effective teaching methods create confident and capable students who enjoy the happiness of making music.
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