Music has restorative powers when used alongside relaxation techniques like meditation and prayer. Many people recovering from substance use disorder (SUD) benefit from spending time listening to soothing music. According to the Cochrane Library, “At a neurobiological level . . . music has the potential to promote positive mood states . . . and to enable emotional regulation.” Yahlight encourages the use of music and relaxing sounds to manage stress. Words, sounds and vibrations from music can calm your soul and promote inner peace.
Music Can Increase the Benefits of Meditation
Listening to music during meditation enhances the experience and helps you relax more effectively. According to Plos One, “Music listening has been suggested to beneficially impact health via stress-reducing effects.” Meditation enables you to find calm within the chaos of each day. Music facilitates that experience by reducing distractions and keeping you focused on looking inward.
Listening to music while meditating, praying, or resting your body rejuvenates your mind and soul. You may feel more engaged in Christ-centered meditation and other activities if you play music. Colossians 3:16 (ESV) states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts.” Meditating on the words of Christ while singing, listening to music, or playing nature sounds promotes a feeling of calm and serenity.
Music Can Reduce Stress and Improve Emotional Stability
Early recovery from substance misuse comes with many unexpected challenges. Finding healthy ways to avoid or manage stress reduces the risk of relapse and increases emotional stability. Listening to music is an excellent way to distract yourself and improve your mood. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “Individuals can use music listening to improve, maintain or intensify a mood.”
Music reduces stress and improves emotional stability by doing the following:
- Facilitates deeper sleep
- Elevates mood from negative to positive
- Calms the mind and rejuvenates the soul
According to Tonyah Dee, founder of Yahlight, “Listening to music while meditating, praying, or resting calms your mind and rejuvenates your soul . . . Emotional stability is increased when we listen to or sing to an uplifting song[.] The sound and words can literally elevate our emotions from negative to positive.”
The Science of Music Therapy
Music has been used for thousands of years to treat mental and physical health issues. In recent decades, science has proven the many benefits of using music and sound to facilitate more profound healing.
Some of the known health benefits of music therapy and sound-assisted meditation include:
- Lower blood pressure
- Decreased stress levels
- Fewer or less severe mental health symptoms
- Improved memory and focus
- Reduced physical pain for individuals with chronic conditions
- Improved mood and emotion regulation
- Reduced risk of heart disease and other health issues
The vibrations made by playing certain sounds have been reported to significantly improve mental and physical health. According to Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Health, “Studies on patients diagnosed with mental disorders have shown a visible improvement in their mental health after interventions using music as primary tool. Other studies have demonstrated the benefits of music, including improved heart rate, motor skills, brain stimulation, and immune system enhancement.”
How Does Yahlight Use Music to Uplift the Soul?
Yahlight helps people heal through meditation, prayer, and uplifting music. You can benefit from listening to Tonyah Dee’s original devotional chant music, participating in drum circles, attending sound healing baths, or listening to relaxing music during meditative moments throughout your day. According to Frontiers in Psychology, music also plays an “important role in achieving self-awareness . . . in terms of identity formation and self-perception.”
Drum Circles
A drum circle allows you to explore different emotions and aspects of your inner experience by doing the following:
- Keeping you grounded in the moment
- Providing new soothing sensations
- Releasing endorphins to reduce pain and stabilize emotions
- Expanding your consciousness
- Improving memory and focus
People use drum circles to explore their inner selves, express complex emotions, and fellowship with peers. Yahlight encourages people to attend drum circles and engage in other forms of music therapy. You do not need to have any experience with musical instruments to benefit from participating in a drum circle.
Sound Therapy
Alternative holistic therapies, including sound therapy, use many types of music, including:
- Lyrical singing
- Playing instruments
- Listening to recorded music
- Sound baths
- Devotional Chant
Music affects everyone in different ways. Some people respond better to instrumental music or group drum circles. How you react to various forms of music will determine if music therapy is right for you and may support your recovery.
Music Can Calm and Heal the Soul
Tonyah Dee is a gifted musician and founder of Yahlight. Her music has helped many people heal during recovery from substance abuse. All forms of music can provide emotional release and promote relaxation. Yahlight encourages people to use music to form deeper connections with themselves and others. Music is a spiritual tool and can help you feel more at peace with yourself and your place in the world.
Tonyah Dee has studied the Bible and wisdom traditions of the world for the last 30 years and teaches about finding ways to increase inner strength, stability, and confidence through practicing spiritual disciplines and healthy habits daily. Tonyah is a nutritionist, registered dietitian (R.D.), and earned her B.S. from Loma Linda University. She also holds certifications in Christ-centered life coaching, equine therapy, and meditation. Tonyah has been published in Scary Mommy, MSN, The Mighty, Mantra Wellness, CoveyClub, Thrive Global. Follow Tonyah on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Medium.