With all the pressure from school, friends, and social media, many teens today face mental health issues like never before. Adolescence is already a rollercoaster of emotions, and many teens find themselves feeling a mix of things all at once.
It can be tough for them to process and deal with these feelings. That’s why in most cases, teens crank up the music volume and immerse themselves as a way to cope, connect, and express who they are.
What if the secret to helping your teens’ mental health is already in the tunes they’re jamming to? Music therapy can be a great resource for helping teens articulate their feelings and connect with their emotions. And since a lot of teens already love listening to and even making music, it can be a powerful tool for helping them manage and work through their emotions.
Let’s take a closer look at the healing benefits of music therapy for teens together.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic method that uses music to boost and improve physical, emotional, and mental health. It meets a teen’s unique needs by offering them a safe and welcoming environment that cultivates self-expression, creativity, and personal development.
By participating in different musical activities such as listening to music, singing, playing instruments, and writing songs, teens can form a genuine connection not only with music in a therapeutic way, but also they may find the words and voices they need to express their identities and emotions. As a music therapist, I assist in this journey by guiding teenagers as they delve into their feelings, thoughts, and experiences through music.
Benefits of Music Therapy for Teens
These activities can significantly impact a teen’s mental health journey in the following ways:
Boosting Self-Esteem
Sometimes teens let unhelpful self-talk shape their views about themselves. This self-talk tends to make them feel worthless, foolish, or helpless, shaping beliefs and actions that don’t truly reflect who they really are.
Engaging in playing an instrument or writing a song can help them fight against these specific thoughts. By achieving something challenging, teens can realize they’re not worthless and that they do have unique talents and skills worth sharing. They can take pride in facing a challenge and succeeding.
Alleviating Stress and Anxiety
Making and listening to music has been proven to have a calming effect on the body and mind. It can lower stress levels, which is especially beneficial for teens dealing with anxiety. When teens feel anxious, their heart rate may spike, their breathing can become rapid, and their bodies might enter “fight or flight” mode.
Rather than holding onto stress, teens can let it go by tackling a difficult composition on an instrument or by enjoying their favourite song and soaking in its familiarity. Also if a teen is feeling panic, listening to a soothing song can help slow their heart rate down and encourage deeper breathing, and that way their heart rate and body will actually regulate to the music they’re listening to.
Expressing Feelings
When your teenager is overwhelmed by intense emotions, it can be tough for them to identify exactly what they’re feeling or how to deal with those feelings.
Writing song lyrics can be a great way for them to express their emotions in a healthy way, providing them with the means to voice their truth and be honest with themselves about what they’re going through.
This can also help teens who find it hard to communicate their feelings to a therapist. By sharing a song they’ve created, teens can give their therapists a better understanding of the mental health issues they’re challenged by.
Managing Pain
Music therapy has shown great potential in helping teens with physical pain management. By shifting the focus away from the pain, music acts as a strong distraction during moments of discomfort.
Studies have shown that listening to music can significantly lower pain perception. The rhythmic aspects and emotional ties in music stimulate the brain’s limbic system which helps modulate pain, thus offering a sense of comfort.
Beyond just listening, actively participating in music-making can aid in managing pain as well. Engaging in playing instruments or singing releases endorphins, which are known for their natural pain-relieving effects. This combined impact of music on both the physical and emotional fronts makes it an essential resource for helping teens deal with pain.
By integrating music therapy into their routines, teenagers can enjoy the physical advantages of relaxation, stress reduction, and pain control. The influence of music goes beyond just emotional and cognitive benefits, providing a comprehensive approach to improving their overall health.
Social Connection
Listening to and sharing music can truly help teens connect with others, creating a sense of belonging and strengthening friendships. It also brings together musicians from various backgrounds, fostering a sense of unity teens may not have experienced before.
Self-Discovery
Teens often turn to music to shape their identity and gain a better understanding of themselves. They may discover something relatable, whether it’s a feeling from a song or a lyric or verse that resonates with them, allowing them to share the music without needing to explain why. They might even look up to musicians or singers as role models who reflect the kind of adults they aspire to be.
The First Step to Supporting Your Teen
At Supportive Steps, we have our own music therapy program. Teens don’t need to have any prior experience or training to benefit from its effects. If you have any further questions about this, I’m available for initial consultations. Book a free 15-minute consultation here today.