What's On Your Music List?

Often we talk with callers about how they are coping with what is going on in their lives, and we hear them say "music".  

Having one of those weeks?  Where you just want to stick your headphones in your ears and drown out the world?  Understandable.  We all have those days.

We've talked about it before on our blog.  How lyrics capture someone's emotions.  How one song can bring back good or bad memories.  How the sound of an acoustic guitar can have you closing your eyes and imagining you're the one the artist is singing about or too.

Take for example The Beatles song "Let It Be".

"And when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me, shine until tomorrow, let it be."

Does that lyric to you inspire you?  Does it help you think that tomorrow is a brand new day, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel?

What about Leona Lewis "I Got You"?

"And when you a need place to run to, for better for worse, I got you"

Does that make you think of someone in your life that needs your support?  Does it make you feel inspired to turn to the person who needs it the most and tell them, that you're there for them, no matter what?

How about Defying Gravity from the Broadway music "Wicked"?

"It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes and leap, it's time to try defying gravity"

Is there a big decision in your life that you've been putting off, or something that is scaring you?  Maybe it's making a commitment to something you've been shying away from, maybe it's a something someone has told you that you can't do.  

Or Jason Mraz's song "I Won't Give Up"

"And even the stars they burn, some even fall to the earth, we got a lot to learn, but God knows we're worth it, no I won't give up"

Perhaps you are experiencing difficulties in a relationship in your life, be it family or love.  Maybe it makes you think of a friend you've been helping to care for in their time of crisis.

And there's "Roar" by Katy Perry

"I guess I forgot I had a choice, you pushed me past my breaking point"

Do you have the guts & glory to do what you need to do, like what you hear in that song?  Maybe you're ready to leave a relationship that's been holding you down, and breaking your spirit.

Regardless of what type of music, song or lyrics speak to you, music is an effective way to really get in touch with your feelings.  Remember, it's okay to cry, be angry, laugh, and sing at the top of your lungs to whatever song is helping you cope.  Feeling through the notes & the melody are a great way to start healing, whether it be in your heart or your mind.

What's on your music list?

Guest Post - Laura

As we continue to post our own blog posts, we have been reaching out to those dealing with a mental health illness or disorder to talk about how they deal and cope.  Today's post comes from Laura, who has suffered from depression most of her adult life. 
___________________________________________________________________

This month I moved.  I have two major deadlines at work.  By March 31 I will have travelled to New York, Vancouver, Montreal and Ottawa.  I have a workshop that I have to participate in and will be evaluated on and I’m nervous.  I’m the maid of honor in two weddings this summer and my duties for those wedding have ramped up.

Needless to say, I’m a little stressed.

As someone who has suffered from depression for most of my adult life, stress and I don’t always get a long.  There are some people that are incredibly productive and resilient during the most difficult times.  Their able to turn stress and anxiety over something into fuel and drive.  For me stress can upset all sorts of things and impact my sleep, my weight, and my general emotional well-being.  There was a time in my early twenties where any stressful situation paralyzed me.  It made navigating the ups and downs of life extremely difficult.

For people that suffer from a mental illness of any sort - scratch that - for ANYONE – learning how to deal with stress in a healthy way can be difficult.  I’m no expert, but in this post I’d like to share a few things with you that I have learned to be incredibly helpful in dealing with stressful times and have helped kept my physically and mentally well.

Reach Out

The first and most important lesson I have learned is that I need emotional support during times of stress.  When I have a lot going on in my life, I know that I have the tendency to feel the weight of it all emotionally.  I get teary, maybe I’m not sleeping as well and in order to build my resilience I need to have an outlet.  For me that outlet comes in the form of a professional with whom I speak twice a month.  Its important that I have someone that helps me to reflect on what’s going on for me and suggest helpful strategies to work through times of difficulty.  A really good friend, family member, coach or mentor can also be a good person to reach out to if speaking to a professional isn’t your thing.  Sharing our challenges can be a good outlet and can go far in helping us unload some of the emotional weight that stress can cause.

Eat well

Pass the peanut butter chocolate ice cream.  Seriously.  Give it to me. 

I have been known to eat my feeling in times of stress.  Anything delicious gives me temporary comfort.  Unfortunately it ultimately it makes me feel a whole lot worse. In order to get through times that are challenging mentally our body needs the proper fuel.  The best thing that you can do is to show yourself some love by taking time out to eat healthy and nutritious foods.  You’ll feel better, operate better and chances are you’ll sleep better if you’re filling your body with whole, nutritious foods instead of a pint of ice cream.

Exercise

When I’m busy with work or travelling I get tired.  Really tired.  As a result, exercise is usually the first thing that gets eliminated from the schedule – I make excuses because I think I just don’t have the energy.  I have learned again recently that this is probably the worst thing I can do.  During times of stress I need to carve out time to sweat.  It helps me shake my sillies out and re-focus.  It also helps me have more energy to keep on keeping on and to do the other things on this list - like making healthy meals and reaching out when I need to.  Endorphins are powerful things!

Theme Music

There are all sorts of studies that connect listening to upbeat or soothing music to improving one’s mood.  For me, a great song can help to distract me and ease tension and anxiety.  Over the past month I have made a conscious effort to turn music on when I’m at home or listen to my iPod more on the way to work to get the positive vibes flowing.  Right now I’m loving Lykke Li’s “I follow” – its upbeat and makes me feel like I can take on the world!

Sleep

I’m not a great sleeper on a good day – ask anyone that has ever shared a bed with me!  I toss, I turn, I sleep walk, I talk – it’s a full day’s work in one night.  So when times get tough my sleep really suffers.  I have found that the best thing I can do during times of stress or just to ensure my resilience is listening to my body and trying to get as much sleep as I can.  I’ve read that turning off electronics (phone, TV, computer) and being conscious of what you’re reading before bed (nothing too heavy) can also have a positive impact your ability to get to sleep and have a restful sleep so these are some strategies I use as well.  Everything seems easier when you are well rested.

This too shall pass

I try to remember when times are tough that this too shall pass and I will get through those things that are challenging for me.   We need to remember to be kind to ourselves and do those things that make us feel good when work or our personal lives seem crazy stressful.  So this month I plan to listen to upbeat music on repeat, get good sleep, eat well and not sacrifice exercise in favour of work.  Maybe doing some of these things will be helpful for you too?

 _________________________________________________________________

 

If you or someone you know, needs to talk, we're here 613-238-3311

 

 

Music Moves Us

Quite often, we'll hear callers tell us that listening to, playing or composing music helps them through difficult times, stress, grief, loss, anxiety, depression.  Music moves them to a happier, safer place, that it has its own healing powers.

Emotions can run rapid with a song, making us feel things by the melody, the lyrics, the harmony of the voices.  Songs can remind us of past events, present situations, and inspire us.  It's so remarkable how even the first 5 seconds of a song can take us somewhere.  It's a natural coping strategy - there is music all around us on the radio, the tv, iTunes, YouTube, and more.

We find ourselves saying "This song was written for me", or "These lyrics are exactly how I feel".  It's a great way to show we're not alone in what our lives have brought us - that someone else has been dealing with something similiar and has put it into song.  It becomes relatable and we are able to understand.

Last night, I (Leslie, Community Relations Coordinator) was at the Xavier Rudd concert here in Ottawa.  Xavier Rudd is an Australian artist, who sings, and plays the didgeridoo, while playing the drums at the same time.  He truly is a one man band.

Now, I've been a fan of Xavier Rudd's music for a couple of years, and while I've listened to his songs many times, I wasn't prepared for the emotions I felt last night, when I heard him sing "Follow The Sun" live.  The atmosphere of the people at the show changed, and you could feel a certain energy with the lyrics that made me want to share this post with you.

The song is about being inspired, that tomorrow is a new day.  That following your heart, mind & soul is okay to do, that your energy can be refreshed in your own way.  While we don't give advice to our callers, we provide support, and through this song, I hope you'll find support to get through your day today, and know that every day is a new chance for change. 

Lyrics: Follow The Sun - Xavier Rudd

Follow, follow the sun
and which way the wind blows
when this day is done.

Breath, breath in the air.
Set your intentions.
Dream with care.

Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
rand new moon, brand new sun.

So follow, follow the sun,
the direction of the bird,
the direction of love.

Breath, breath in the air,
cheerish this moment,
cheerish this breath.

Tomorrow is a new day for everyone,
brand new moon, brand new sun.

When you feel love coming down on you,
like a heavy wave.
When you feel this crazy society,
headin' to the strand.
Take a straw to the nearest waters
and remember your place.
Many moons have risen and fallen long, long before youve came.
So which way is the wind blowin',
and what does your heart say?

So follow, follow the sun,
and which way the wind blows
when this day is done.


We're always here for you to talk to.  If you or someone you know is struggling to cope, call us at 613-238-3311 in Ottawa, or 1-866-676-1080 in the Outaouais.