[sunnyoutlook]

Hi. Just wondering does music help or make things worse for anyone? I find it depends on the mood I am in and the music I am listening to. When I am mad I like to listen to angery music to help me vent. Some pepole listen to relaxing music to help them calm down. That seems to work for me when I need to slow down as long as it's not to sad.
I think music helps me more then not. Just wondering how it works for others?

[(JD)]

Back when I could play piano, family members could tell what kind of mood I was in by what music I played (or pounded out.) When I was really upset I would first go to Malaguena, strong and fierce. Family knew when I was down to soft hymns and easy flowing tunes, I was safe to approach.

I find that music can help and harm, to use your words. It's important to soothe oneself when sad, but not feed a depression. I think it might be like anything we face: give it some limited,direct attention, and then do all we can to counter anything negative. That means, to me, play some dark, sad music when really in the depths, but make sure to switch to lighter music and work at distraction from the negative.

[Rapunzel]

Music is a powerful tool. Like any tool, it can be used to help or to hurt. Music can make me depressed and angry when I'm susceptible, but it can also help me to get in touch with feelings, and to calm down and start seeing beauty again.

I just had an idea. Since when I'm down, I sometimes don't even want to work on feeling better, and would choose music that will keep me that way or make me worse, maybe it would be a good idea to put together a set of songs to help when you're angry or down. Mine would start with angry and rebellious songs, then have some sad ones that would help me to cry, and move on to peaceful music and songs that remind me that there is help and I don't have to stay there. If I started with the uplifting songs I wouldn't be able to stand it and would probably turn it off, or throw it across the room. But if it meets you where you are first, then it can help you to change your feelings.

[Sabrina]

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Rapunzel said:
Music is a powerful tool. Like any tool, it can be used to help or to hurt. Music can make me depressed and angry when I'm susceptible, but it can also help me to get in touch with feelings, and to calm down and start seeing beauty again.


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That is very well said!

I get times when music is what gets me through a day - where I am completely drawn into what I listen to. Other times music (even my favourites) triggers me into a mood that isn't shaken for weeks - it took me a long time to learn when NOT to listen to music. I can sometimes be my own worst enemy, listening to music that is bound to make me depressed.

Then again, as much as I love music, sometimes my head makes enough noise and I relish total silence.

[Perna]

I think I use music most to keep me company. When I'm feeling lonely or bored all the old songs remind me or other times and situations and things open up some for me. I remember sad and scary and resolute feelings about my "core" problems and get an infusion of new ideas and hope.

It's asking for the taking.
Trembling, shaking.
Oh, my heart is aching.

We're coming to the edge,
Running on the water,
Coming through the fog,
Your sons and daughters.

We the great and small
Stand on a star
And blaze a trail of desire
Through the dark'ning dawn.

"Let The River Run" ~Carly Simon

[Irine]

"A lonely life where no one understands you
But don`t give up
Because the music`s due

Becasue the music is due and it is reaching
Inside you forever preaching..."

("Twisted tranzistor", Korn)

[sunnyoutlook]

Thank you everyone for your wonderful posts. I find alot of what was said holds true for me too. When I am angery I play really lound and angery music to vent NIN God smack and such. I try not to play sad music when I am down cause it just seems to get me even more down. Yet I am not a happy happy joy joy kinda of music person either. I guess most of the music I listen to is somewhere right below happy and a bit above depressed. I try not to make fun of anyones musical likes because to me music can be an expression of your feelings and soul however it's not always easy :

[Rebound]

I think music is a very personal thing. Like medications, it has different effects on everyone, so I realize what I am about to say may not be everyone else's experience. I absolutely love almost all music if it's any good. It has a magical effect on me. I can feel music all throughout my body, create images in my mind that go along with the feelings it creates and I draw energy from it when I'm at my lowest. It's an endless source of joy for me, particularly when I hear something new and different that's well done.

I think that sometimes, we use music too much for background noise instead of dropping everything and just concentrating on listening, I mean really listening. I think if you can do that, music can allow you to release your burdens, even if just for the time you have the music playing, and let it take you wherever your imagination allows.

[Estee1]

Sometimes music helps me and other times it keeps me feeling depressed. I enjoy being miserable sometimes and the music can make me feel like I have someone to listen to me. I suppose I just use the words because they may identify with how I feel. But sometimes I need to improve the way I feel so I need to turn the music off and stop obsessing. Don't know if I'm making sense but I know what I mean. :-)