Using music to calm me down

[fuzyon]

Music helps me calm down as well, whenever I feel like a wave of anxiety is about to hit me I start playing some songs that can calm me down. For example, tomorrow I have a driving lesson early in the morning and I'm a little bit tense, I'm feeling a little bit of anxiety which is never good for your mental health. I'm listening to Bob Marley right now and trying to calm down so I can go to sleep peacefully. Music is soothing and I don't know if I would be able to deal with anxiety as well without it.

 

[rz3300]

Well music is certainly one of my best friends when it comes to calming down and getting my normal back, which is what I call it. The main thing is to get myself in position to sit and take deep breaths for a long time, and having music on helps me do just that. One song is kind of the perfect length too, where after about three or four minutes I can really feel myself calming down. Then I take a little further and usually do about ten or fifteen. I usually feel a whole lot better after that,

 

[RichE8475]

I have been dealing with my GAD and Agoraphobia for a very long time now, and there are times a coping technique will work and times when it doesn't. This past year and a half has been really hard, because of how bad the agoraphobia has gotten. I do not know how doctors think you are suppose to make it to an appointment, when you can not even get past the front porch. I close my eyes and breathe like I am suppose to, and I try to use imagery. I even squeeze and relax my muscles. However, once my face and my hands go numb it takes awhile to feel better. The feeling of having a heart attack or a stroke is scary. I have days that I hide out in my shower, and I have headphones in to keep all the noise out. If I had to say the one thing I have been able to do, is utilize music as an escape.


If a panic attack is about to happen, and I am able to just go lay down, put those headphones in, and escape to another place in my mind that is safe; then, I know that I should be OK. I will just be tired and sore for a day or so after. This is what has helped me out the most, but when I am in public I just cannot lay down on the ground and zone out. I already feel like the world watches me.

 

[wecantfixthat]

Yeah music is amazing. It can literally change the complete mood of a person from happy to sad or vice versa. It literally made my bad day a whole lot better and I think anyone that feels anxious at times should try play some upbeat music. It can honestly do wonders.

 

[roxyfermor]

I too believe that everyone should have their own "anxiety music." Music that you really link to easing your mind and your nerves. Moby is mine. His ethereal sounding music makes me feel like I'm in another world and thus don't have to deal with my own stresses.

 

[beautifullybree]

That's a good point beautifullybree. Singing along actually helps me a lot. At one point' date=' I was coping with road rage, because the road I lived on was under construction for 5 years. I was constantly going back and forth between work, school and home, and I learned that turning the radio way up and singing along loudly not only helped me cope with the anxiety and road rage, but actually would put me in a good mood. I would imagine people in the other cars wondering what the heck I was singing to, and it always made me laugh. [/quote']
I've always found this amusing as well. When we were kids my sister and I would drive or mom crazy. We always danced and sung in the backseat and people in cars would think we were crazy. It really is amazing how singing can help you deal with stuff. I can imagine anyone would have road rage after waiting five years though.

 

[emmaruthnagano]

Music can whisper what you want in your ear. You just have to choose the perfect music to feel certain emotions. While listening to the music, feel every single beat and melody. Focus on nothing else but the music in your ear and it will calm you. Unless you're listening to rock metal XD .. Choose wisely.

 

[Robilas]

Anything I can sing seems to help me. Sometimes I sing the same song over and over until my anxiety seems to lighten up.

That's great! I do that too and it's a great method. I like listening to chill, happy song and singing them improves my day. Lately I've been listening mainly to Massive Attack and Sigur Ros, since their songs give me positive vibes and brighten my day.


Sometimes I find myself singing these songs even in public, and it can be embarassing, however when nobody can hear me it's a great way to push away anxiety.

 

[DecMikashimota]

I'm not sure if this helps people' date=' but I have several playlists that I compile, so that when I feel anxious or a panic attack coming on I can play it and then keep it on repeat. I find it can help, because I have songs that have a feel good factor and remind me of good times. I have several ones; some with good old classics, a classical music one and with soundtracks, and one with lyrics that can inspire such as "I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor. That one always helps me. "Somewhere over the rainbow", and "Moon River" are other ones that can be calming, and i keep them on my iPod.[/quote']
I think that it is great you use sounds from other eras. Have you ever tried to listen to classical music. I do, but it depends on the composer and it has always put me in a very thoughtful state of mind. Everything seems to slow down considerably and before I know it I'm in my own world. I think that bi-neural frequency type sounds can also have a great effect on those that are suffering from anxiety. They are known to promote meditation and this has helped me overcome some of my own disorders.

 

[janemariesayed]

For some reason, I don't like to listen to music. I prefer to sit in silence. There is some music that I do like but I rarely play it. I think it is a symptom of my depression and I wonder if anyone else prefers to sit in silence.