Bye Bye Blues

Do you ever feel depressed?  Not clinically, but blue?  Maybe blue-er than blue?  I have days like that, too.

While the whole world seems to be popping Xanax, using illegal drugs or drinking too much alcohol, consider music.  Yes, music.  Whistle a Happy Tune may have seemed cliché in the King and I…but just think about it for a moment.

Don’t you sing when you’re happy?  Maybe in the shower or driving to work.  Some may whistle.  Some may hum.  In some way, music is being made.

Usually when we’re depressed, we have ugly thoughts that appear out of nowhere.  They won’t go away.  

They torment us, making us feel worse.  We isolate ourselves and feel lonely.

A few years ago, a dear friend was depressed and I suggested that when the voices came to haunt her and fill her with self-doubt, she should begin singing either aloud or in her head.  It’s impossible to hear the “stinking thinking” when you’re singing lyrics or the melody to a favorite song.  You simply cannot talk and sing at the same time.  In a world of multi-tasking, I dare you to try.  Once she practiced this technique, she gained control of her emotions.

Approximately 120 million people suffer from depression.  “This can be seen in disturbed appetite, sleep patterns and overall functioning as well as leading to low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness and guilt.  

It can lead to suicide and is associated with 1 million deaths a year.” (Science Daily.)

Music can play an active roll in one’s emotional well-being.  Studies have shown that music affects the brain waves of individuals and has mood altering properties.  Music therapy has been beneficial because often times the depressed individual becomes less social and active.  With classes, h/she will listen to music, participate with others, and simultaneously develop friendships.  Stress and anxiety are relieved.  According to The American Music Therapy Association, music therapy interventions can be designed to, “promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication and 

promote physical rehabilitation.”

In addition, music therapy is beneficial for children with ADD as well as reducing anxiety in cancer patients.  Hospitals are using music therapy to aid in pain management. Movement helps ward off the aches and pains of arthritis and muscle tension and as the patient becomes more active, their emotional outlook changes from hopeless to hopeful.

But what about children?  We don’t think of children suffering from depression.  What do they have to be depressed about?  They live in nice homes, go to good schools, vacation with parents.  In today’s society with social media, children are bullied on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and at school.  Peer pressure to be accepted is great.  Parent’s expectations for their children to succeed creates over-achievers who have difficulty coping.  There is an excessive amount of homework, aggressive encouragement to participate in sports and do hours of volunteer work so that their college resume exceeds that of their neighbor’s children.

Kids need down-time.  Just like adults.  We all need to recharge our batteries, regardless of age.  And when we do, it is easier to accept life’s challenges.

One of the most soothing and relaxing activities is listening or playing music when you are stressed, anxious or depressed.  There is a style of music to suit any mood.  When I’m ecstatic, I’ll race to the piano and play Boogie Woogie at top speed.  If I’m reflective, I take out Debussy or Chopin.  When I’m angry, Rachmaninoff and Beethoven keep me company.  Those who know me well only need to listen to my music choice to understand how I’m feeling.

After I pour my heart out musically, I’m drained of intense feelings and my spirit always soars.  I encourage my students to play the piano when they are moody, suggesting a piece in a minor key, or when they feel joyous to play Rock-n-Roll loud enough for the neighbors to complain.

Throughout life, we will experience all kinds of emotions, including temporary feelings of depression.  You just need to follow the advice of Dorothy Fields and Jerome Kern: “Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again.”

Isn't it time that you did?

And when you think about it, “Life is a lot like jazz…it’s best when you improvise.” (George Gershwin.)..."especially with friends." (Heidi Goldman)