Using Music to Integrate Back into Society During a Pandemic

By Prakriti Poddar, Global Head for Mental Health and Wellbeing at RoundGlass

The global pandemic brought about feelings of stress, loneliness, anxiety, and a variety of other emotions that have been difficult to manage. Our rhythm and human frequency which we typically thrive on has been interrupted. Being kept away from family and friends while observing social distancing and safety measures wasn’t exactly music to our ears – however music, and its melodic healing properties, had more to do with how we have been getting by and where we’ll go from here.

Music during the pandemic is an experience we all shared and it’s something worth exploring more deeply. A study by Verywell Mind found that 79% of people turned to music during the pandemic to cope. They turned to music to cheer themselves up, to feel less stressed, and even distract themselves from unpleasant thoughts and feelings.

While collaborations in-person between musicians was hindered at the onset of Covid, collaborations via Zoom accelerated. Artists have become innovative in creating synchronous opportunities to make music, even coming together on new platforms and apps created specifically to make it easier for them to create harmonious unions. It was a crucial piece of getting through the tough times and bringing us all together.

Music is the universal language that transcends dialects, countries, and backgrounds – it lends itself to our wellbeing with properties we have yet to fully understand. Studies have shown that listening to upbeat music improves our mood and happiness, and that people who listen to music before, during, or after surgery experienced less pain and anxiety (Healthline).

Music can help us come together again as we enter a new phase of the pandemic and working to get back to “new normal.” Here are three steps in using music to integrate back into society.

Uniting Movement & Music

The pandemic created a lasting impact on our overall health and wellness, both physically and mentally. Yoga classes, meditation sessions, and a therapeutic walk outside listening to music can bring a sense of calm and happiness. Movement and music together are a powerful tool for achieving Wholistic Wellbeing.

Watching Music Live

Live sessions and concerts, when celebrated safely, bring us together for a heightened auditory experience that enable a sense of community and socialization. We dance in unison, feel the vibration of the stereos, and celebrate a love for sounds together, creating a connection with those around us.

Music Therapy

Research shows that specific sounds have the ability to target disruptions in the mind and body. Certain sounds and beats can even invoke peace and harmony. Work with a mental health specialist who can integrate music as part of wellness or download a wellness app that utilizes music as a piece of therapy.

There’s been a steady rise in consciousness about how music has the ability to heal the mind, body, and soul. The science of sound and the science of safely rejoining society in a pandemic converge in intriguing ways. What better time to explore how they fit together and what sounds best to each of us?

About Prakriti Poddar

Born in India, Prakriti Poddar was raised all over the world, moving from one country to another, from one boarding school to another. Amidst the environment changes, she remained fiercely connected to her own spirit. One constant in her life was visiting her grandmother, a prolific healer, and soothsayer who taught Prakriti faith healing before she learned how to read. Mental health and wellbeing are not just a passion for her. It’s a purpose that drives her everyday life mission. As the Global Head for Mental Health and Wellbeing at RoundGlass, she is a humanitarian advocate. Constantly building communities, initiatives, and outreach for mental health awareness and support, she focuses on building peace and harmony to address mental and emotional health. For more information, visit RoundGlass at Living.Round.Glass or follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Subscribe on YouTube or download the app in the AppStore or GooglePlay.

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Tags: COVID-19 Pandemic, Music therapy, Prakriti Poddar, RoundGlass