By Frank Bublitz
Halloween is a time where we can all indulge our inner Lon Chaney and have some goofy or scary fun!
Did you know that “Halloween Music” is specifically designed to manipulate you into certain behaviors and feelings? The minor or major keys, whether they are played clearly or with distortion, and the lyrics of songs that have them all play a role!
The deep, discordant notes of a Piano, Violin, or other instrument feed your brain the feelings of discomfort and dread that you experience at your local Haunted House.
Music that sets a “dark” or “light” mood works on your brain to stimulate certain emotions. And that is why, when you are sad, you can throw it off by “singing the blues”. When you are nervous, musical tones, nature sounds, or certain songs help you regain your calm.
And when your anxieties become too great, music is a way to help you cope. A song with lyrics to which you can relate, or a heavy metal song that gets you gyrating and head-banging around the room, are some ways to deal with anxiety.
And if you begin to listen to songs that deepen a bad mood it can be an indication that you need to work your recovery program harder. A family member of mine used to listen to a particular song repeatedly during times of stress. So when I heard that song playing I knew it was time to be helpful to that person.
A Thesis paper made public by a university out West stated that people who do have a mental disorder play or listen to music more frequently than people who do not. The author reported a finding that people who deal with a mental illness reported using music to cope more often than those who used music for fun or to pass the time.
So let me summarize my points. When you want to set or change a certain mood, music can be your tool. If you’re needing motivation to move, music set in the proper key can unlock, pun intended, that motivation you need. And if you want to drift away into a calm, relaxed place simply for fun music can be your transportation.
Remember that music can be fun, and fun IS healthy!
