Using music to improve your relationships and change moods

One great love song can ignite the passion of two people. Music can also completely alter your mood, create a soft mental space when you’re anxious, and help reverse depression. — Dreamstime/TNS

We all know that music is the universal language. It speaks to the heart and inner spirit.

One great love song can ignite the passion of two people. And, one good upbeat tune can release energy to a room full of people in an aerobics class.

Music can soften stressful feelings, and it can help us forget our troubles for a short time.

“My husband and I were arguing loudly a couple of days ago, ” says a real estate agent we’ll call Ana. “We were on the verge of getting the police called on us, and I’m only joking by a little bit.”

Ana told us her 10-year-old twins cranked up a rock ‘n’ roll song to switch the mood.

“My husband grabbed my hand, and we started dancing like crazy, ” laughs Ana. “I swear, when we quit and flopped on the couch, we couldn’t remember why we were arguing. We just couldn’t stay mad at each other.”

A couple we know has found a way to make some memories using music. They hold family karaoke at their house every night before dinner.

“Singing is a good way to put everybody in a better mood, ” says one of their kids we’ll call John. “Social distancing means my brother can’t practise with his garage band like he used to. Mum came up with the karaoke idea as a way to make my brother feel better.”

Music has a very powerful impact on our moods. If you need to find the energy to exercise, you’ll need whatever songs trigger your desire to produce that energy. On the other hand, meditation and yoga require calming music.

“My cousin and I text back and forth all day, ” says a nurse we’ll call Wendy. “We share our favourite videos on YouTube sometimes. During this coronavirus scare, we found a YouTube clip showing a dog ‘singing’ along with wind chimes on his family’s porch. It’s precious. By sending it out to our friends, we’re actually making a nice memory for us all.”

A grandmother who needs to get in shape told us she’s using music to speed up her exercise. We’ll call her Sheila.

“My husband is supposed to exercise as well, because he recently had a heart issue, ” Sheila says.

This couple found out playing their favourite CDs ignites their desire to exercise. They turn on their favourite songs every afternoon. With the music setting the mood, they take turns riding their stationary bike for an hour.

“It’s giving us something in common, ” says Sheila. “The music makes the time fly by, and we made a pact to each ride the bike for three songs. Then, we switch.”

Music can completely alter your mood, create a soft mental space when you’re anxious, and help reverse depression.

“My grandson is depressed about his school schedule changing during our national crisis, ” says a retired teacher we’ll call Phyllis. “I broke the ice with him by asking him to watch the movie Grease with me. Then, I questioned him about music he likes. He told me he loves all kinds, and he confessed he’s always wanted to play the guitar.”

Phyllis found her old Ovation from the 1980s in an upstairs bedroom, along with a guitar book.

“I taught my grandson a few chords, ” she reveals. “He’s very excited about learning more. If he does well, I will give him the guitar.” – Tribune News Service/Judi Light Hopson, Emma H. Hopson and Ted Hagen