8 Tips to Soothe Your Soul with Music this Holiday Season


Music does bring people together.
It allows us to experience the same emotions.
People everywhere are the same in heart and spirit.
No matter what language we speak, what color we are,
the form of our politics or the expression of our love and our faith,
music proves: We are the same.
John Denver

This time of year we can’t walk into a store or turn on the radio without hearing holiday music. That can either be wonderful—or irritating—depending on how you feel about that music.

Though we may not all love holiday music, I think it’s safe to say we all love music. Turning on our favorite music can lift us out of a sour mood, boost our energy or help us relax.

Attending Tibetan/Singing Bowl meditations remindes me how important music is for our souls. Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, is often referred to as the “pioneer” of music therapy. She talked of how familiar songs can soothe the sick and help to restore the soul.

music therapyStudies show that music therapy can improve outcomes for a variety of patients—from premature babies to people with depression and Parkinson’s disease. Another study explored the feelings and perceptions of happiness and sadness induced by music.

Want to give it a try?

Neuroscience says this one song can reduce anxiety by up to 65 percent. The song is called, “Weightless” by Marconi union. Click here to hear it.

These studies and others indicate that music may, indeed, be the best medicine.

Here are 8 tips to help you use music to soothe your soul this holiday season:

  1. Start your day with music. Better yet start your day meditating to music.
  2. Choose your music carefully and match it to your desired result (ex: relaxation).
  3. Play music at your holiday gathering that will help keep the environment calm.
  4. Sing along with your favorite music—whether that’s in the car or in the shower.
  5. Crank it up and dance—like no body is watching!
  6. Stuck in holiday traffic? Shift your mood with music.
  7. Share music with your family—or have a designated time where you each put on your headphones and relax to your own music.
  8. Listen to music at the end of the day instead of watching TV or scanning Facebook
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