Do you have a friend or loved one that is shutting down from the world, starting to show signs of depression? When you ask them if there is anything wrong or if they are okay, you barely get any answer or just, “I’m fine”? Almost like there are too many emotions running through that they begin to get numb to the outside world. You want to help them, but don’t know where to start. Because you know and can plainly see, they are definitely not fine.
Use Music
Here is a suggestion, use music. Think about it. How many times have you listened to a song on the radio and started thinking, “Exactly! I really needed to hear this song right now, because that is exactly how I am feeling.” You are sitting there listening to song after song and the lyrics are saying everything you feel. Everything you have been wanting to say.
Remember when I talked about how we can relate to certain songs so easily? As if the song itself was written by you. The lyrics spoke to you in a way you couldn’t think of. Music has been considered to be one of the most common therapies and has been used in licensed therapies for centuries. The use of music in therapy can be anything of listening, singing, or even playing an instrument. So, as you listen to the radio, you are already using music therapy. Because think about it. How do you feel when you listen to various genres of music?
Types of music and emotions
I have talked before how I listen to instrumental music when I am doing homework or, like right now, writing. I listen to rock music when I need to push some energy through my system. Turning it up nice and loud in my car and singing to all my favorite songs, as I drive into work. Then I will turn to the calming pop music at the office to keep my brain settled and focused on my work while enjoying the melodies. To me each genre has a purpose.
Now back to the original situation. Your loved one or friend is showing signs of depression. They have turned away from everyone, not wanting to engage in any conversation. This is a difficult time to try to help them. Why not try music? Maybe, ask them out of the blue, what is their favorite song? Do they have an artist that they like? Get whatever information you can about the songs and types of music they are listening to. (And hopefully, they are listening.)
Time to read
Here is a hard step for us loved ones. Be prepared if it is music you do not recognize, heard of, or like. DO NOT JUDGE the music. That is one of the worst things you can do, especially if this is something they like. Now, for some research. There is the hard rock and rap that is going to be a little more for some people to understand. That is okay. Because, what you need to pay attention to, is the lyrics.
Think about this. When you are sad, you may find yourself listening to more sad songs. What about if you are angry at a significant other, the song lyrics that you lean towards are going to be more angry lyrics. I have been known to listen to songs that have a strong empowerment lyric base lately. When you discover the songs your loved one is listening to, pay VERY CLOSE attention to the lyrics. If they are listening to hard rock where you cannot understand what the lead singer is saying, go on the internet and search for the lyrics.
Music to understand
Once you read through and hear the lyrics, you will have a better understanding of how your loved one is feeling. It is this point you can offer help, comfort, and maybe a suggestion of a song with lyrics to empower them through their emotions. But it is through the lyrics that these people are trying to understand their life. The musicians write these words because they too felt the same way. They went through similar situations and expressed their emotions into that song. Music helps us to feel less lonely. That someone in the world knows what we are going through. Let’s use this to also remind our loved ones that we understand them and that we are there to comfort them and guide them.
With great warmth,
