Would you say you are in a good mood today? Maybe you are feeling low or somewhere in-between. Have you ever wondered how music can help improve our mood?

We all experience changes in our mood, our emotions affect us whether in a positive or negative way. You may be well aware of why you’re feeling particularly good or going through a low time.

Maybe you can link it to a reason why you feel as you do, something that has happened affecting your emotions.

Long term issues emotionally affect many today

Such as;

• Health issues
• Effects of old age
• Loss of independence
• Loneliness
• Lack of social activity

Sadly we also realize how much the current Lockdown must be compounding these issues.

Is there anything that can help?

It’s no secret that ‘music’ is proven to have a positive effect on our emotions, our moods. There is an abundance of evidence out there, you may well have seen yourself. We will come to a heartwarming experience of a former newscaster but first…

Let’s see what effect our mood can have on our everyday lives.

If in a low mood it can easily sap your energy and motivation, you can feel more tired, irritable finding even simple everyday tasks a struggle. You may also find it is affecting your behaviour and relationships with others.

Contrast this with feeling in a more lifted, brighter mood. Don’t you find yourself more motivated and energised? Are those same menial tasks not phasing you anywhere near as much?

Why everything seems easier when your spirits are lifted, even relationships with others are also benefiting from a happier more positive you.

Well it goes without saying most of us would love to feel great and positive all of the time. Being realistic we know life isn’t always like that.

What can help us and those we care for?

A Powerful Experience

Here from ‘The Guardian’ newspaper, John Suchet tells of the powerful effect music had on his wife Bonnie.

When John Suchet discovered the effect that music had on his wife Bonnie’s dementia, it was transformational. “She would close her eyes and love it, beat in time to the music with her hands, tap her feet,” he said.
The former ITN newscaster’s wife had lost her ability to speak. She had been locked inside her head, sitting blankly, apparently unable to make sense of the outside world.

“Music just seems to get through to them,” Suchet told the Observer. “I just want carers to be aware that music is a very, very powerful tool.

Did you note John said the effect music had on Bonnie was “transformational”? I think you’ll agree, the joy that John was seeing in his wife was very uplifting for him too!

There are many similar testimonials, you too may be familiar with some. This reminded me of when as a carer myself, I too shared wonderful times like this.

More and more evidence!

More and more evidence daily shows Music is the ‘key’.

In a recent study by Goldsmith’s University in London, the researchers found that those who spent just 20 minutes watching a live music performance showed the highest gains in mood and well-being at 21 per cent. Those who practiced Yoga meanwhile, saw their mood improve by 10 per cent during the same duration.

Likely you can relate to a situation like this…

Your day is quite mundane even a bit boring or you could be feeling a little anxious, stressed. So, You have the radio or TV on when a song comes on that you instantly recognise. A song or tune that is giving you a lift. You find you’re enjoying singing along and even ‘moving’ to the rhythm. Your mind is now transporting you to bygone days and memories.

You feel better already! Now you are experiencing the power of Music!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we also help those we care for to benefit and enjoy times like these? When negative thoughts replace positive ones. Think of ways it can stimulate memories with interesting conversations together.

Music is also shown to have a calming effect on our emotions. It helps to lessen stress and agitation and improve connections.

Now for the ‘Professional’ bit!

Professor Helen Odell-Miller, director of the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research at Anglia Ruskin University, highlight this in The Guardian newspaper She said, “research showed that music could help improve the emotional state of people with dementia and created a connection between carer and patient”. “We know that music is calming, but it can also contribute to how people relate to each other.”

Using Music to Really Help Improve our Mood

Yes, music can also have a calming effect that helps relieve agitation and fears. We know that this improves communication.

Sadly even with all the evidence out there it’s surprising how seldom we include music regularly in the lives of so many folk who could be reaping it’s benefits.

John Suchet felt so passionately about this that he went on to say;
“Music just seems to get through to them,” Suchet told the Observer. “I just want. carers to be aware that music is a very, very powerful tool”

The same article reads;

Grace Meadows, campaign director of Music for Dementia, said that Suchet’s experience showed how vital music was for people living with dementia and their carers. She said: “But it’s clear from our survey findings that more music services are needed to meet demand and that there is a lack of awareness about how to access them.”

For those living with dementia music truly is “ a very, very powerful tool.” It can also be very beneficial for all folk living with various health issues.

Those who experience loneliness, feeling isolated, including carers too, whose well being also really matters. Music can nourish the soul like nothing else!

As Grace Meadows noted above “ more music services are needed with more awareness how to access them.”

So if you have ever wondered, ‘How Music Can Help Improve our Mood’ hopefully this blog will help give an answer.

Fortunately, with our caring and music background, Tony and I have enjoyed presenting thousands of positive music sessions with older folk. We have seen it do its transforming work many, many times. We have though, also been very aware of many, including carers who feel isolated at home.

As a result, Tony and I have been brainstorming and came up with this idea; That we present online music sessions with our aim;

• For them to be easily accessible at any time.

• To provide a varied program where we encourage interaction and movement.

• Helping memory and conversation.

• To lessen agitation bringing calm

• To help lift the mood and bring joy.

As a result we have been busy and quite excited preparing our special interactive ‘ Magic Moments’ music sessions designed to help you to enjoy brighter more meaningful times at home.

‘Magic Moments’ music sessions

These are easily accessible interactive music sessions for you to share and enjoy with the one you are caring for. To help you, Tony and I present them in a series of videos which will lift the mood of both you and your loved one

Watch this space – they’re coming soon …….