HOW CAN WE LIFT OUR SPIRITS DURING COVID 19? – PART 2
HOW CAN WE LIFT OUR SPIRITS DURING COVID 19? – PART 2
By Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D.
The previous blog suggested reading as a way of encouraging optimism during this trying pandemic time. How about music as well?
For a serious, but very readable book on the power of music, try Musicofilia: Tales of Music and the Brain, by Oliver Sacks (https://goodreads.com/book/show/4457008-musicofilia ). Sacks explores a variety of unusual, and mostly very rare, ways in which music comes to dominate a person’s brain, and life. But he also describes how powerfully therapeutic music can be for patients with Parkinson’s Disease or Dementia. In less dramatic ways, music can be calming, powerfully engaging, and distracting in completely constructive ways: a perfect complement to reading some the books suggested previously.
How about these examples:
- “No Surrender Festival – Bruce Springsteen Tribute”. This is a rousing rendition of Springsteen’s song, played in Spain by a huge gathering of musicians, singers, and fans. (https://youtu.be/alorNxGo0FM)
- “Ripple (Grateful Dead)”, featuring Bill Kreutzmann (https://youtu.be/MHo1fNnXFVU) A rather mellow, heart-felt song.
- Another genre entirely, of choral music. Traditional, and no less beautiful and soothing: “Hear the Voice and Prayer”, by Thomas Tallis. (https://youtube.com/watch?v=AEmnXA8MtE&feature=youtu.be)
The first two selections are part of Playing for Change, a website that produces popular songs played by various artists around the world. Skillfully edited into a smooth rendition, the international nature of the collaborative work alone is often deeply touching (www.playingforchange.com/)
Most of us probably already have our own library of favorite artists, songs, genres. How easy it can be to make listening to certain selections a regular routine that is soothing during these stressful pandemic times. And, how fun and rewarding it could be to develop playlists for various moods, and mood enhancements, for ourselves and to share with family and friends.
Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Torrance, CA. A member of the Independent Psychotherapy Network, he can be reached at 310 539-2772 or dralanms@gmail.com Telehealth sessions by phone or video call are available.
Copyright 2020 by Alan M. Solomon, Ph.D.
