Have you ever sat down and thought “you were not feeling yourself lately.” Then it happened, you heard some music, maybe it was coming from your neighbor’s place and your window was open, or maybe you got up and turned some music on. You heard the music, and a part of you started to feel better. You may have even felt soothed.
Music has been around since the time of man, it may not have been what we hear today, but it was there. Not everyone likes the same type of music, and that’s okay.
Music therapy. It is a real thing; it is used in different circumstances and areas like hospitals, day treatment centres, community programs, correctional centres, long term care centres, substance abuse and addiction centres, and some schools it is used to help with development. physical and mental health and well being.
There are certified music therapists providing services for all walks of life, they could work independently or through a company.
Music Therapy can be used for people of various ages and abilities and disabilities, hearing impairments, personal growth, brain injury, autism, speech and language impairments and so much more.
Music therapists have a Bachelor or a Graduate Certificate in music therapy plus about 1000 hours of clinical internship. Every 5 years the music therapists need to maintain their credentials. They can earn about $35.00- $110.00per hour.
Singing is a great music therapy even if you think you can’t sing, this can help with your breathing, articulation, and rhythm, if singing in a group this can help your social skills. It has been proven that people with dementia when singing can help to encourage reminiscing about their pasts, and also helps to reduce their anxiety and fear. For some people that have had a stroke, music can stimulate the language centres in their brain which could help them to sing.
Playing an instrument can help to improve gross and fine motor skills with people that have a head injury, or stroke.
If you can’t afford or don’t want a music therapist do your therapy. Relax, turn on your music, sing, dance, play an instrument, or just listen. Get lost in the music, let it take you away and eventually you once again start ” to feel like yourself again.”
A weekly feature for Lumby, Cherryville, and area seniors. For more information about any of the following please contact Colleen or Jenny at (250) 547-8866 Whitevalley Community Resource Centre Office (250) 547-8866. Funding support provided by Interior Health, the Province of British Columbia (Community Gaming), United Way Southern Interior and United Way Lower Mainland.