As an adult, one thing you would always find in my bag is my headphones, because listening to music on them has always helped me create a mental safe space. After going through a period of grief, while working in a radio station I started to discover that different kinds of songs had different emotional effects on me and some were so calming and grounding that I began to feel like they were written and performed just for me, even if I didn’t know who made that music. 

My playlists 

With the invention of music streaming apps, we have more access to music than we ever did in the past, and the ability to sort this large spectrum of music into personalized playlists is just pure joy. I spend time once a week listening to new songs and sorting the ones I prefer into different playlists depending on what kind of emotion they trigger. These playlists have become my mental and emotional companions. Each song and each playlist create a safe space for my mental and emotional wellbeing and has a big therapeutic effect on me. 

Engaging with music 

Music has the power to capture memories like a time capsule, so I always look out for memories I like to treasure and associate them to music, so that on days when I feel emotionally down, I can recall a good memory just by listening to some music. Actively and intentionally listening to music can transport you and transform uncomfortable feelings and spaces into safe spaces as it helps to block out the distractions and creates a calming space for you to be yourself withing the words of the song or just the sound of the instrumentation playing in your ears. It gives the feeling of being in a secure and accepting space, where positive change is possible. 

Moving with the music 

Movement is great for our mental wellbeing and music is a great driver for movement. When you listen to music sitting down, you unconsciously begin to move your head or your feet or even tap your fingers on the nearest surface you can find, because that sound of musical instruments inspires motion. 

Some people dance to music, some run and some walk. For me I love to walk with headphones on and listen to one of my playlists and it always ends with me having clarity and feeling all-round good about myself while unconsciously clocking 5000 steps or more. Every time i walk with music, places feel like i have been there for the first time, giving me the impression that it’s a new day and new and exciting things are possible, discarding fear, worry and anxiety. 

Music is special to human beings, whether you listen to it or play an instrument, it has a big influence on our emotional and mental wellbeing.  

Support for you:   

• Click Here for our mental health support and ways to keep mentally healthy  

• The Samaritans are there to listen 24/7, call them for free on 116 123  

• Call Dorset’s mental health helpline Connection for support on 0800 652 0190