Music As Medicine
About the author:
Darcy Nelson is the principal of Nelson Strategic Marketing, a Denver metro digital marketing strategy company, and is also an independent singer/songwriter who loves performing at house shows, local farmers markets, community events, and local restaurants.
During times of uncertainty and stress, music and the arts are a refuge.
Our current situation seems to be changing by the day, filling people with uncertainty about their health, livelihood and what our near future will look like.
In this time of uncertainty, I turn to creativity through music and writing to help me find consolation and share encouragement with my community. Many creatives and musicians create their most impactful art while processing challenging times. In this moment, music is an accessible form of self-care to support us in mind and spirit.
Whether you are a creator or appreciator of music, I encourage you to turn to art as a positive distraction, source of inspiration, and comfort during these times -- especially if you are struggling to find and maintain balance as you work from home, or if you are facing increased risks as a first responder and essential worker. Use music as a form of “medicine” to support your mental health and well-being.
How to incorporate music into your new routine:
Here are a few examples of “music as medicine” moments and my prescribed recommendations to soothe your mind:
Music for stress management:
Choose positive vibes: Play the genres and artists that trigger memories of happy and carefree times. Start and end your day with good-vibe jams.
Explore calming music: Find a playlist for meditation music to help slow your pace, increase the awareness of your breathing, and feel more grounded during times of anxiety. Listen, breathe deeply, and repeat.
Balance news with art: Consider finding your ideal balance of daily music and news consumption to regulate your brain’s natural fear response to uncertainty.
Music as a boredom buster:
Dance it out: Plan a dance party with whomever you live with, or schedule a virtual dance party with a friend who lives alone using your favorite video app. (If you are bashful about your dance moves, crank up a feel good playlist while you are cooking and dance like no one’s watching for some movement and endorphins).
Zoomba dates: Not everyone loves high impact training, but you can stay active while sweating to your favorite beats with a YouTube video or original choreography. Check your neighborhood community group on Facebook for events like virtual Zoomba parties, and consider hosting one if you can’t find any.
Dust off an instrument: Grow your skill set and invest more time in a hobby that may have fallen to the wayside in the hustle of life.
Music for expression and processing:
Free write: Try writing a song, poem, or spoken word piece to process your thoughts and feelings. Just free write and see what happens! Take away any judgement from your work and just have fun with it.
Add to your repertoire: Learn a few cover songs that speak to you in this moment. In person open mic nights and karaoke nights will come back someday, and when they do, you’ll be ready to belt that perfect song.
Improvise: Use whatever sound making materials you can find at home and experiment with making a drum circle with your kiddos or quarantine buddies for some laughs.
How to support professional musicians during this time:
With live venues temporarily closed, working musicians and independent artists in particular need our support more than ever. Here are a few ideas of how you can support local artists:
Add songs to your Spotify playlists. The more plays an artist gets through streaming apps like Spotify, the more royalties they earn.
Buy albums, merch, or swag. If you’re able to, now is a great time to invest in your music catalog and purchase dope swag from your favorite bands (treat yourself or buy gifts for the music loving people in your life).
Connect via social media:
See what your favorite local bands and musicians are up to by joining their e-news list and checking out their social media feeds. Share and attend virtual concerts and consider tipping artists using Venmo if you can.
Comment/engage/ share local artist’s work with friends, and let artists know how their music is encouraging you during this time. Your note could brighten their day.
Direct message a band or artist, asking how you might creatively support them using your network and resources at this time. Many bands may have had to reschedule album release parties, so ask them if they have upcoming dates or releases you can spread the word about.
If you are a business owner, consider inviting a local band to do a takeover of your brand’s social media to share entertaining and uplifting content while helping a local artist reach a new audience.
Need more ideas?
Local media like the Colorado Public Radio’s Indie 102.3 FM station and 303 Magazine are sharing ideas of how we can support artists at this time. Follow @Indie1023 on Instagram and check out their recent posts about supporting the local music scene, and plan to “attend” an upcoming live show any Friday hosted by the Rocky Mountain Virtual Music Festival on Facebook (curated in partnership with Colorado’s Arise Music Festival).
If you are a Twitter user, check out posts using the hashtag #stayhomebands to see what musicians are up to on this platform.
The Undiscovered Music Network has also curated a list of ticketed streaming concerts here, and a brand new platform WeAreDenver.org will be streaming work from local artists providing easy links to tip creators directly.
Do you know of other awesome media supporting local artists at this time? We would love to hear from you in the comments.
To know more about Darcy, click the links below: