By focusing on the music within us, we can learn to look past our limitations, cope with stress, and relieve our pain.

How can listening to music help my personal wellness?

As you think about how to use music for your personal wellness, ask yourself the following questions:

• What music energizes you?
• What music helps you to relax? 
• What music takes your mind away from your troubles? 
• What music soothes your spirit?

Which musical selections came to mind?  Create a list of your preferred musical selections and group your favorites under the following titles: 

• Energizing Music
• Relaxing Music
• Distracting Music
• Soothing Music

Tips: Some of your music may belong in more than one category.  If nothing special comes to mind, pay attention to how you feel when you listen to music on the radio, television, or in a public place.

Now it’s time to collect your favorite music.  This may require a trip to your local public library or you may find the musical selections in your personal music collection.  Using the technology that is available to you - tape or CD recording, or downloading to your personal computer, iPod or MP3 player - create a playlist of each category of your special music. 
Tip: You may want to ask for help from a friend or family member.

Listen to your energizing music when you want to perk yourself up.  When you feel the need to calm yourself down, take slow, deep breaths while you enjoy the relaxing music.  Allow distracting music to take you away from your troubles when you feel overwhelmed by pain or worry, or play your soothing music to ease the discomfort.  Whenever you choose, let your music resound!

Do you want to learn more about how music can improve your health?  Lake Health offers inpatient and outpatient music therapy with board-certified music therapists.  Contact the Wellness Institute at: 440-375-8153