Many think of “Self-Care” as a lavish vacation, or an expensive spending spree at the mall. Self-Care is less about self-indulgence and more about self-maintenance. It encompasses many things, including basic hygiene, house cleaning, diet and exercise, paying off debt, mending furniture or clothing, and even repairing injured relationships with friends and family. In a way, it’s a form of healing. Music can also be a healing experience.

Here are a few ways that Music is a form of Self-Care:

Physical
Music moves us – It’s true! Just listening to music and moving to the rhythm is good physical exercise. Dance is great for fitness and is almost always choreographed to a musical rhythm. It may not require insane muscle strength like weightlifting or gymnastics, but it can get you on your feet and get your heart rate up. Practicing an instrument acts as physical exercise; especially if your instrument is heavy or requires a lot of movement to play. Professional drummers have been shown to have fitness levels similar to some Olympic athletes!

Mental
Music is good for your mental health: It’s stress management! Listening to your favorite music can help you process difficult emotions and help to get you out of a depressive rut. Music can also be intellectually stimulating. Memorizing the intricate complexities of a piece of music is akin to solving a puzzle. If you play an instrument, practicing a piece of music or a new technique has a similar effect on the brain as meditation. It promotes neuroplasticity and can help prevent dementia in old age.

Social
Music connects people. Often, entire communities are built around one single genre, or even one individual artist. People who listen to the same music also tend to share similar values. What better way to make friends than to share a musical experience together like going to a concert? Live music gives us an opportunity to connect in person, with each other as fans, or with the artists themselves. This is even more evident for musicians when we get together in a band or ensemble. Playing music together collectively forms lifelong friendships.

Ultimately, human beings need to care for each other and themselves. The ways that we enjoy music allow us to connect with one another to build community, as well as provide outlets for our creativity and pent up energies. Listening to your favorite song while dancing like a maniac is a guaranteed way to feel better. Music is a simple and easy addition to one’s Self-Care tool kit; some would even argue that it is essential!