Mental Health for Christians: the Power of Music

If you experience any kind of depression, bipolar or unipolar, you may have experienced the soothing effect of music. And if you experience anxiety, whether as a disorder (GAD, generalized anxiety disorder) or as a diagnosis frequently comorbid with depression, you may have experienced the calming effect of music. Let's explore this further.

Right now I am listening to classical music on the sound system in my den. As I type, I find my mind focused rather than scattered, which is often what I experience during both hypomanic "highs" and depressed/anxious "lows." And that's a good thing.

So what is the power of music? One thing it does is distract. Distraction can be a good thing, especially when it pulls my mind out of what I call "the ruts" of cyclic bad (obsessed!) thinking.

Another thing that music can do is "calm the savage beast" of runaway anxiety. That depends, of course, on the type of music. Rock music, at least for most of us, is not a soothing genre. But think about the influence David had on King Saul when he played his lyre to refresh Saul and to banish (at least for a time) the harmful spirit that was vexing him. (1 Samuel 16:14-23)

Then there is what can be referred to as music that lifts the spirit. Whether by songs or by lyrics, my psyche can definitely be boosted by music. I'm sure you can identify. I often find Christian music does this for me. It can be in the form of gospel hymns or modern praise choruses. I often wake up humming the tunes of songs I hear on the radio or on my play list. When I am listening to those songs in my head, there is less room for bad thoughts.

But I had totally forgotten the benefits of making music. I recently picked up my old melodica, and began to play gospel hymns. (I just hit "place your order" for a book of modern praise choruses. Ask me later how I do playing them.) I immediately found myself a) distracted, b) engaged, c) encouraged, d) calmed. Amen to that!

And here's what playing involves. I use my eyes in reading the music. (No worries if you can't read music. You can play just about any instrument by ear, and watch/visualize your fingers playing the keys or holes.) That involves the eyes. Then there is the feel (of keys, holes) as I play. That involves touch. Then, of course, there is the sound you are making, or rather your instrument is making as you play it. This involves your ears. There are also resonances to feel in the instrument as it vibrates. This may sound strange, but there is often a smell associated with musical instruments. (Think of the smell that greets you when you first open an instrument's case.) To summarize, playing music is a distraction involving all of your senses with the exception of taste. And I could swear there is actually taste associated with playing certain instruments. For sure there is taste associated with playing any instrument with a reed. (Those clarinetists out there know of what I speak!)

Most of all, there is that mind-hand-sound coordination and feedback when playing. I would refer to this as proprioception. WebMD defines "proprioception, otherwise known as kinesthesia, as your body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location. It’s present in every muscle movement you have." When playing an instrument, you could say it is a "symphony" involving mind and body and senses, all working together. No wonder the mind is focused and calmed and soothed.

I would also point out the sense of achievement when you try and succeed in playing an instrument. Regardless of the learning curve, there can be great satisfaction along the way. I know. I am proof.

So if you need an "off ramp" for anxiety or depression or even mania, turn to music. Whether just hearing or playing, I think you will find music as a "balm for the soul."

Blessings!

The Christian Bipole