Don’t forget to use this powerful tool during the holidays

Could you actually forget to play music during the Christmas holidays? It’s unlikely I think but you might logically think that it’s only for celebration purposes.  In reality, Christmas can be a time for a full range of emotions from jubilation to devastation and everything in between.

If you’re a trained musician you know that Christmas music has been written in both major and minor keys and has also been written in fast tempos and slow tempos. So whether you want “Joy to the World” or “We Three Kings.” “Carol of the Bells” or “Silent Night,” there is truly holiday music to match every mood.

We associate holiday music with parties, good times and festivities but what if you’ve had a major loss at holiday time. In addition to the death of a beloved family member or friend, the loss of a treasured pet can be devastating. In the last 100 years, the Earth has seen hurricanes, earthquakes and tsunamis in the month of December where people lost everything they owned including family and friends. But even if you haven’t lost anyone or anything, loneliness can also be a problem.

So how can music possibly make a dent in these uncomfortable feelings? Here’s what music therapists and music medicine practitioners say:

• Music therapy can address limitations of traditional bereavement support by facilitating non-verbal emotional expression.

These are both general statements, but we know that when grief or sadness is heavy, many people cannot find words to express what they’re feeling.

Music can elicit tears even if you’ve never heard the piece before. I remember vividly when I heard the soundtrack to “Schindler’s List.” I had not seen the movie although I did know what it was about. I burst into tears almost immediately just hearing this music.

There is so much music that has this power and can seriously help people feel their feelings and begin the grieving process.

In addition, when people are grieving, many tend to isolate and not want to go out. Participating in a bereavement group that is led by a therapist or other music professional can be extremely helpful.

Another Christmas song that can bring mournful feelings to the surface is the beautiful “In the Bleak Midwinter,” with lyrics by Christina Rossetti and music by Gustav Holst.

Of course I hope that you are having a very joyful Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa season. But if you have sadness,  grief  or loneliness, please remember to let music help you through it.

We sell music that has been shown to reduce anxiety and increase calm