Mindful May with Music Therapy!
- Michelle McConnell, MT-BC
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
“Mom, where are my flip flops?” “When is my last concert?” “Be sure to leave work early!” “Don’t forget the school picnic,” “I have 5 Graduation parties to go to!!” Perhaps May should be called, “Mayhem!” This time of the year can be go, go, go!
You may ask, what can help slow down the “Mayhem!!?’
One answer is using music therapy interventions for mindfulness. According to the American Psychological Association, mindfulness is defined as an awareness of one’s internal states and surroundings. Mindfulness can help people avoid destructive or automatic habits and responses by learning to observe their thoughts, emotions, and other present moment experiences without judging or reacting to them.
Upon reference to www.mayoclinic.org, here are 3 mindfulness practices. Each one will include intervention ideas that a music therapist may use, or that you can incorporate into your life.
Pay Attention
www.mayoclinic.org describes this as taking time to experience your environment with all of your senses. Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch, and Taste.
In a music therapy session, mindfulness and this practice of paying attention would be discussed with the client. The music therapist would play a live or recorded, unfamiliar, relaxing piece of music. The music would preferably not have lyrics. Playing music of this type would not bring pre conceived notions for a client. Concepts of music may be discussed earlier, to help define terms to take note of in music, when discussing it later if warranted. Music concepts for example may be dynamics, rhythm, timbre, or melody etc.
After listening to music on your own, ask yourself what did you hear or focus on during the music.
Focus on Breathing
www.mayoclinic.org states that when you have negative thoughts, try to sit down, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Sitting and breathing for even a minute can help.
In a music therapy session, the music therapist may use the iso-principle to assist a client in the focus of their breathing. The iso-principle is the concept of matching a client’s current state of being (may it be anxious, dysregulated etc.) and gradually bringing music beat and tempo to a slower and rhythmic tempo. The music is gradually brought to a relaxed state, matching a client’s breathing pattern. This most often is done with a live instrument, as to correctly gauge and assimilate to an individual's state and breathing pattern.
For yourself, choose music of an even and relaxing tempo. Many mindful music options are available on YouTube. Sit or lie down, close your eyes, and focus on breathing to the relaxing tempo of your chosen music. Only focus on your breathing and the music, with no judgement or interpretation. Here is a short video about using music therapy for stress relief and mindfulness that you can watch to get you started:
3. Live in the Moment
www.mayoclinic.org describes this as the concept of trying to intentionally bring an open accepting and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.
In a music therapy session, this concept would be talked about often. A tool that works for all is identifying feelings, and matching individual music that goes with these feelings. A playlist is often devised for this purpose. A client or yourself is encouraged to play a matching song that validates feelings of the moment. Once again, this is done without judgement, yet to validate. Discussion may or may not occur in a music therapy session, as assessed by the music therapist in the best needs of the client.
For all, the art of living in the moment discourages worry, anxiousness, and stress.
Some simple ideas to live in the moment:
Remember not to video a whole performance/concert. Be present and enjoy.
Have a music share night with your family or friends- to talk, sing together, dance to boost endorphins
Don’t be afraid to be silly, and enjoy what happens around you.
Please remember that the more you take time to be mindful, the more it will come naturally.
All the best to you, and enjoy the Summer!!
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