While in Grief, Music Will Calm Your Heart

by Sherry Williams White

Because your world has been turned topsy-turvy by the death of a loved one, it is very helpful to look for ways to calm the heart and spirit. Music is one way to do just that. It can uplift your soul, awaken the spirit and lighten the heart. Music helps us clear our minds, and it also conjures up memories. And, oh, how we long to hold onto those memories now that our loved one has died.

In an article published in Bonkers Magazine, writer Don Campbell notes that music helps plants grow and lets the child in you play. Because your inner sound system (the ears and voice) is one of the most powerful healing mediums available, music is being used in today’s alternative health to help stabilize emotions and reduce stress. Some research shows that listening to 30 minutes of classical music produced the same effect as 10 milligrams of Valium among critical care patients. Other studies indicate that vibrating sounds create energy which can alter your breath, pulse, blood pressure, muscle tension, skin temperature and delicate cells, issues and organs. It has also been reported that sounds can positively change your brain patterns, mask pain and release tension.

According to Campbell, you can use different kinds of music to help you achieve certain feelings. Here are a few tips to help you choose the music that will most help you.

• Gregorian Chant music is excellent for quiet study and meditation and can reduce stress.
• Classical music (Haydn and Mozart) can improve concentration and memory. 
• Slower Baroque music (Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Corelli) is good for creating a mentally stimulating environment for study or work.
• Impressionist music (Debussey, Faure and Ravel) can unlock your creative impulses and put you in touch with your subconscious.
• Salsa, rumba, meringue, macarena and other forms of South American music can set the heart to racing, increase respiration and get the whole body moving. Samba, however, has the rare ability to soothe and awaken at the same time.
• Big band, pop and country-western can create a sense of well-being.
• Religious and sacred music can lead to feelings of deep peace and spiritual awareness. It can also be remarkably useful in helping to release pain.

With all the changes that are occurring in your life right now, perhaps you could be well served to surround yourself with music. This is a very simple way that you can take care of yourself and promote healing as you travel on your journey through grief.

Let the band play on! Or the radio,CD player or i-pod! Whatever you choose, just take care of yourself and enjoy the healing power of music.