Covid Awareness

MUSIC-A MELODY TOWARD BETTER MENTAL HEALTH DURING COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis of our time and the most serious challenge since World War 2. The lockdown since the outburst of this virus has led to a global increase in mental health issues. The isolation, worry, anxiety, and economic turmoil have led to worldwide psychological distress. There have been reports by psychologists, showing an increase in the number of children with anxiety and depression in several countries. A report by WHO claimed that many people feel distressed by the immediate health impacts and the consequences of physical isolation, while many others are afraid of infection, dying, and losing family members. Due to the economic turmoil, a lot of people have lost their jobs hence leading to a loss of their livelihood and leading to a sense of hopelessness.

During these difficult times, one needs to find their escape, to free themselves from this debacle surrounding them. Music is an escape for many people. As Pablo Casals once said, “Music is the divine way to tell beautiful poetic things to the heart”. Music is a beautiful melody with words that reaches the heart and lets one connect with themselves. Music has shown to have surprisingly positive effects on our mental health. It is said to help in reducing and managing stress. A study conducted in 2013 showed how participants were made to listen to music in three different conditions, before being exposed to a stressor, and then taking a psychological test. Some listened to relaxing music, some listened to the sound of rippling water, while others received no auditory stimulation. Results showed that those who listened to music had a positive effect on the human stress response, as compared to those who received no auditory stimulation. Studies have also found that music can help a person sleep better. There are several music applications available that are specifically made for people who have trouble sleeping or have insomnia.

It is during times like these when listening to music might be one of the only things one needs to break away from the everlasting state of hopelessness. This is the time for one to pick an old instrument hidden in some part of the house, and display their hidden talents and cultivate them not only as a way to develop a hobby but also as a way towards self-care.

Very recently, music therapy has started gaining popularity that it deserves around the globe. Music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions, to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by credentialed professionals who have completed a recognized music therapy program. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas, such as overall physical rehabilitation, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings. Music has also been said to have impeccable effects on movements. A study was conducted in 2011 that showed how old aged men and women, who were at risk but were free of major neurologic and orthopaedic problems that would limit walking on undergoing proper music therapy, exhibited better gait and balance than their peers — and they also experienced 54% fewer falls. Similar programs of movement to music appear to improve the mobility of patients with Parkinson's disease. So even for the senior citizen or anyone who is in bed and immobile, music is a ray of hope for them. Music is something that keeps them active and motivated to do things that they were unable to do initially. For some, music works wonders in concentrating better while studying, following a schedule, and motivates us to do various other things during the day such as painting and reading books. Music has often helped us find a way out of the dreadful things happening with and around us. In many ways, music gives us an outlet to take out these worries through some tunes and lyrics.

Music is a language in itself. COVID-19 is a horrendous and scary disease, however, it is our time to shoot it away by remaining positive and finding an escape through music or any other escape one might have, to remain mentally fit and calm. So, let the music be a melody towards better mental health during this COVID-19 pandemic.