February 17, 2021 | Lucy O'Brien
Need help finding some serotonin amidst a global pandemic? It’s (not) simple! The Solace team is here to help you find some happiness, guidance, and distractions from the turmoil the world is experiencing! Let’s proceed:
Okay, all jokes aside, I think we can all collectively agree that the last year has aged us all at least 10+ years. The upheaval of the world as we know it is (temporarily) gone. But what is most important during this uncertain time is to make sure we remind ourselves that everything WILL be okay. Just not right now, and maybe not for the foreseeable future.
However, constantly telling yourself that over and over again doesn’t actually make you feel better.
What makes me feel better?
I like to start every morning with at least 5 minutes of stretching. Stretching helps relieve stress and tension in our bodies, and the repetitive motion of stretching eases the mind. Forming healthy habits with coping mechanisms is most important. Staying consistent with stretching, journaling, exercise, and meditation are just a few ways to help us feel more relaxed and happy.
Listening to your body is so incredibly important in general, but especially right now. Knowing when it is time to rest, sleep, be active, slow down or speed up, EAT, etc. I have found that being on my phone for too long makes my negative emotions heightened. I’m sure I’m not the only one experiencing this either.
Keeping in touch with the information we need to know (specifically, lockdown updates) is obviously vital right now, but you have to know when it is time to turn it off and step away.
Connecting with your mind and body by being outside (even though the weather might not always coordinate, fresh air is always a necessity every single day) is key to a healthier mindset. All of this is easier said than done, and our health and healing processes are all subjective, but these simple things make a huge difference if you can form a habit around them.
It is hard to form opinions during this time. There is an immense amount of confusion, second-guessing, longing, sadness, and uncertainty in the air. The most beautiful part about it all is that we are all in this together. Not one person is alone in their thought processes right now! As important as it is to be one with yourself and to not go against what you know to be right, our hearts and minds feel more at ease when we are aware that we aren’t alone.
Any one of the above-stated reasons could have you feeling bogged-down, anxious, or depressed.
OR
Maybe you just aren’t listening to the right music. :)
One thing that I know that I can always count on to improve my mood is to listen to music. You wouldn’t believe (or maybe you would) how incredibly beneficial music is for mental health.
I listen to music every single day.
I will never not listen to music every single day of my life. Since the pandemic, music has been my #1 source of relaxation, entertainment, and escape.
This article states some incredibly interesting facts about music and mental health:
Upbeat music can help improve speed (i.e., working out, playing games, cleaning, etc.), while slower music helps with improving memory
Music can reduce stress
Music can help reduce physical pain
Music can help with a lack of motivation
Music may reduce symptoms of depression
These are only a few facts about how music can improve mental health.
Connecting with others about music, finding new artists/songs, making music, talking, or writing about music -- these are all ways that music can help.
Music is the most popular format of sound art and if you don’t think making art, listening to art, appreciating art, or being around art improves your mood, then maybe you should try it :)
Right now, connecting in any way with others can help us all collectively feel more positive. Music is one of the very few mediums that can unite us all. Luckily, that’s exactly why Solace Family is here! Be sure to sign up for our email list, so you are always notified when new music drops, and if you ever have a track or EP you want to be covered on our site, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Let’s see where music can take you!