Music Therapy for Grief: 5 Soothing Benefits

Grief is a complex and challenging feeling that can be difficult to deal with. Luckily, there are many different ways to deal with and cope with loss; one of the most popular ways is music therapy. Music therapy has many benefits and ways to be used, and although everyone grieves and processes things differently, most people can find common ground when utilizing music.

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is when someone utilizes music to help cope with grief and loss. It can involve listening to music, playing an instrument, singing, dancing, discussing music, writing music, or anything else music-related that helps you cope. Music therapy can be done by a professional or at home with music or an instrument. With its many different avenues, music therapy can be a good fit for anyone.

5 Key Benefits of Music Therapy for Grief

Self Expression
Whether you compose, dance, or sing, music is a way to express yourself and let go of pent-up emotions. Music lets you express your feelings and cope with loss more easily. Dance therapy is an excellent choice for those who tend to bottle up their feelings, as even listening to music can help you process your emotions.

Remembrance

Rememberance is a big part of music therapy; as you go through it, you’ll have uninterrupted time to reflect on memories you shared with your loved one. When grieving, it can be tempting to try not to think about your grief and try just to power through, but when you’re surrounded by music, you have an outlet to let yourself feel what you’ve been through.

Reduces Stress

Music has been shown to reduce stress and help you calm down. The calming effect of music therapy applies to all types of music therapy, whether composing, listening to, or dancing to music. Many people play percussion instruments when dealing with grief, as the rhythm and repetition in movements and sounds can be calming. Music therapy can be a great way to help you unwind from your day and process your emotions. Taking the time to unwind and relax can benefit your mental and physical health and is an excellent way to start or end your day positively.

Self Discovery

When listening to music, you are giving yourself time to reflect on your feelings and emotions, an essential part of self-discovery and personal growth. Self-discovery can be especially prominent when composing music as you translate your feelings into words or beats. You may discover new parts of yourself when playing music and unlock new feelings.

Physical Activity

Many of the methods of music therapy include physical activity, which has been shown to play a significant part in helping with grief. The most physical form of music therapy is dance, which involves working out and moving with the music. Despite what others may think, music is just as expressive as other forms of music therapy; when you dance, you convey your feelings and thoughts through body language and facial expressions.

Understanding Music and Grief

When considering different ways to express yourself and cope with grief, it is essential to remember that everyone grieves and copes differently. What works for one person may not work for another. With music therapy, there are many healthy options and methods to choose from, so while you may dislike composing about your feelings, you can enjoy playing percussion and finding a rhythm that suits you. Play around with music therapy, and find something that works for you. Maybe you dislike singing but love composing lyrics; you will never know until you try. These methods don’t have to be exclusive; you can utilize and personalize them to suit your needs and preferences. Maybe you like composing music and enjoy playing percussion instruments to make a background melody, mix and match things, and mess around with it. The beauty is that there's no wrong way to do music therapy.

Music therapy can also be a way to meet others going through similar struggles and connect with them. You can find others through group music therapy, grief share groups, and other avenues such as social media. When struggling with loss, it’s essential to continue attempting to cope even when you hit roadblocks. If something works for someone else and doesn’t work for you, don’t stress about it; everyone grieves differently and copes with different methods at different speeds. With Ecorial, there are many various suggestions, groups, and people to connect with who are all going through similar struggles and can help you process and cope with your grief. Music therapy is a helpful tool, and it has many different ways it can be utilized, so try them out and search for something that works for you; you may even surprise yourself and find a new passion for music and life.