On days I hate being myself, days I want to disappear forever
Let's make a door in your heart
Open the door and this place will await
It's okay to believe, the Magic Shop will comfort you
It’s easy to become overwhelmed with the many things constantly happening around us. As we enter our third year of the pandemic, the effects it had on our way of life are still present. We are beginning to step back into a new shade of change: our spring day. Just as the change was damaging to our mental - and possibly physical - wellbeing at the start of the pandemic, it can have a similar effect when the tides shift back. It’s important to find peace within ourselves and practice self-care so that we can thrive with these changes. So welcome to this Magic Shop, as we glide through some self-care tips along with exploring how music can help us on therapeutic and psychological levels.
Music has several therapeutic qualities that are used to treat several conditions— from muscle ailments to conditions such as dementia and Alzheimers. Studies are being done to test the effects of musical vibrations on fibromyalgia and diseases that deal with disorientation in the brain. These studies are working to show the effects of music beyond that of its cultural imprint.
Have you ever turned on a sad song when you're feeling blue? How about a hype fast-paced song in the gym? Music can affect us emotionally (if you’ve heard any number of BTS’s songs you’d agree. I'm looking at you “WAB: The Eternal”) and we can use this to our advantage. Music can be used to calm down patients before surgery or anxious children in routine doctor's visits.
If you're familiar with Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), then you know that the use of sounds can be a great way to find relaxation. Just as people use ASMR as a means of inducing sleep, relaxation, or meditation, music can be used to ground oneself when one becomes overwhelmed with anxiety. Additionally, it can allow you to calm yourself if you feel like you're becoming drowned in depression. By using music as a tool for anxiety and depression, you can ground yourself. Breathing in time with a song, or feeling the vibrations of the music can help you to focus and recenter your mind.
Tips for Self-Care:
The importance of taking care of one’s emotional and mental wellbeing is always necessary, but even more so in today's world two years into the pandemic. There are several things that you can do for self-care, which is why it may look different for everyone. Finding what works for you might take some searching and testing, but once you find what works, building it into your daily/weekly routine might save you some stress in the long run.
For the days when you feel overwhelmed, taking a walk for a breath of fresh air or working out are great options. Getting your blood flowing and releasing the adrenaline that builds in your system is helpful in both physical and mental wellbeing. If you are a homebody and prefer time away from social interactions, then you might prefer meditating or reading. Having a nice bath or spa session to take care of yourself physically is also a viable option.
Treating your body well undoubtedly improves your mental health: taking walks promotes healthy blood circulation, spending time with good friends helps relieve stress, and eating healthy food can set you up for fewer mood fluctuations. Staying in tune with your mental and emotional needs also includes identifying the exact things that you may need extra support in— which may require talking with a friend, therapist, or mentor who will help pinpoint the origin of certain fears or anxieties. And lastly, listening to music can be a great way to take care of oneself, through boosting your mood with the release of endorphins. Just like you might rewatch your favorite movie or tv show, doing the same with music can bring about nostalgic feelings and comfort.
For recommendations of BTS songs that can help you on your self-care mission, see our previously published blog “Therapy is Free With BTS” where Endang lists some BTS comfort songs with loving messages behind them.
DISCLAIMER: We do not own any audio & visual content in this video except for the editing. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNERS. No copyright infringement intended.
Written By: Skylar
Edited By: Esma
Checked By: Aury
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