A great way for clients to relieve stress during the holidays is through music. Selecting and listening to the right kind of music is an enjoyable, easy way for clients to counteract the stress of the holidays.
Studies have shown that music affects our mood and energy levels because our heart beat, blood pressure, and brain waves all adjust to the tempo, rhythm, and harmony of music.
This holiday season, we should encourage clients who are beginning to feel stressed to listen to soothing music whenever possible. It can be helpful to ask clients about the types of music they enjoy and how they traditionally react to it in order to make the best suggestions as to what might be helpful.
While slow, peaceful music may have a calming, relaxing effect on clients who are feeling anxious or stressed and lively music with an upbeat tempo can elevate the mood of clients who may be feeling depressed, that might not be true for each client.
Personalizing your suggestions will be the best way to help your clients.
It’s also important to keep in mind that, while traditional holiday music may bring out the excitement of the holidays, it can also cause negative emotional reactions for some people.
It’s a good idea to remind clients to take a break from the holidays and to relax by listening to non-seasonal music.
Hope Makes Healing Possible!
Patricia Sherman, Ph.D., LCSW
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