Music and Well-Being: A Magical Connection
By Linda Vanderlee
[Editor’s note: This is part 2 of Linda’s article Music has both a mysterious and a magical When a meeting is stagnating or has gone Because we are social beings, a sense of on well-being and the arts that appeared in quality to me. The emotional range it can on for too long, I’ve taken to calling for a “five- belonging is an important factor in our the summer 2015 issue of Healthwise Ottawa.] evoke in us is endless: it can invite a needed minute dance party!” Some folks leap into it health. Joining a musical group can fulfil that cleansing cry, chase away our blues, or help us enthusiastically, others hesitantly. Before long, for us and in Ottawa there is no shortage. The watched in awe as the young express emotion in times of joy and gratitude. though, shoulders drop, foreheads smooth Bytown Ukulele Group (BUG), almost 100 mom ahead of me in the checkout line I love that a song written specifically for one out, and eyes soften, reflecting the smiles on people with a wide range of ages and skills, dealt with her tired two-year-old. As he person ends up having meaning for others everyone’s lips. It works wonders…even for boasts a welcoming sing- and play-along i too; that what is experienced as personal those who chose simply to tap their feet. The the third Wednesday of every month at the wiggled and screamed in her arms, she began to sing him a song. Struggling at first, he soon and unique can actually be universal and energy in the room shifts and afterwards the Clocktower Brew Pub on Bank Street. quieted down to listen. His tears dried up and connecting. There is something special and conversation is revitalized. Occasionally, some of us head out to a his eyes crinkled with his smile as he placed even healing in hearing our own thoughts his chubby hands on each side of her face, and feelings expressed by someone else, and intently watching her lips. Kudos to his mom, knowing that we are not alone. who had successfully sidestepped a tantrum, Good Vibrations in a testament to the power of music. I’m particularly struck by how music has As an amateur singer/songwriter, I’ve been an amazing way of connecting us both to thinking a lot about music lately and all the ourselves and to others — which makes it so ways it touches our lives. We hear music at the mysterious and powerful. mall, in elevators, coming from the car next to us as we wait at a stoplight. Sometimes Sometimes I invite my coaching clients to it’s in the background, barely noticed; other dance to some infectious beat as a warm- times, it’s front and centre. It can act as a up before we begin our work together. It’s a conversation starter, an invitation to engage way to transition into the space, to smile and with others, or as a way to ease an awkward relax. I’ve noticed that after dancing, even for moment. It can motivate, boosting our just a few minutes, clients are more inclined energy on a run; entertain us on a long car to be in touch with their bodies as a source ride; sweeten an unpleasant chore. A chant or of information, connecting their heads to familiar ring tone can help us sink into our their hearts and bodies. And having danced yoga or meditation practice. A song can send together in the same space has connected us down memory lane in a heartbeat. us too. Kathleen Edwards, acclaimed singer-songwriter turned coffee shop owner, has the gift of music in her life to keep her healthy and wise.
12 HEALTHWISE OTTAWA Spring/summer 2016 Photo: Jamie Kronick Spring/summer 2016 HEALTHWISE OTTAWA 13 Let There Be Music! church, a festival, a seniors’ residence, a football has a rhythm and a song-like quality about Here are some ways to bring music stadium, or a school to entice people to sing them. Sometimes I catch some combination consciously into your life. along, creating even more good vibrations. of words that starts to make sense to me. I wonder if she is using music to search for Go hear live music. In another group I belong to, discovered words or if perhaps it’s simply more pleasant Create your own playlists to suit through www.Meetup.com, members take for her to talk like this. Either way, she seems different needs. turns hosting jams in their homes or in public more content and at peace in those moments. Take dance breaks at work and spaces like parks. There is something extra at home. special about these open-air public jams. Not In 2015, I took a music care certificate only do we have our usual fun, we share it course, where I learned more about how Sing and hum; try both with your music is used in various caregiving scenarios. eyes and ears closed! with strangers! It’s such a pleasure to witness Celebrating a Healthy Ottawa One application that was new to me was the smiles of people strolling or cycling by, Try improv — with just sounds and thanatology: the study of death and dying. Featuring: marketplace, speakers, giving us a thumbs-up sign. Some stop to beats, no words. cooking demonstrations and more watch the river while they listen, some get off An aspect of this field investigates dying with consciously chosen music. Although I’m Make up new lyrics to a familiar song. Saturday and Sunday, their bikes to dance (three-year-olds are the June 4-5, 2016, 10 am to 4 pm sure that there are many fitting instruments, Join a pop-up choir, then maybe a best), some sing along for a tune or two, and RA Centre, 2451 Riverside Drive a few inquire about how they might join our including voice, I was surprised to hear that more formal one. harps have a resonance that is particularly group. Each time, I have a feeling that we’ve Create special song rituals with your just put some positive, healing energy into the well-suited to facilitating dying with a last act family or friends — before a meal or vegfest.ca air, impacting the health and well-being of so of compassion and comfort. at bedtime. many people! I wonder what my mom would like when Attend a drum circle. her time comes. I can’t ask her directly any Give song-writing a go; find kindred When Words Fail more, but with some reflection I’m sure I’ll spirits to support you. My mom is in her 19th year of dementia come up with something that will accompany and I’m constantly learning new ways to her last breath gently, with love. HWO Listen actively to music, alone and connect with her. Touch and music are key with others. ingredients. Her caregivers and I have learned Learn how to play an instrument. how humming and singing softly helps to Linda Vanderlee is a eatingwellottawa.ca calm any resistance she may have to the task These resources can help get you started: change facilitator who at hand, such as dressing or taking medicine. Tricia Spooner is the lucky winner coaches individuals and Bytown Ukulele Group: of Healthwise Ottawa’s 2015 I’ve taken to humming against her arm or teams wanting to www.bytownukulele.ca cheek so that she feels the vibration, too. reader’s survey. Tricia will certainly make a difference Carlington Arts Initiative: These interludes are a double gift, as they tend enjoy the Harvest boxes from in their lives. Her www.carlingtonarts.ca to make her smile and look at me in a way that inviting, creative, non- Eating Well Ottawa this spring! suggests that she is really seeing me. Music judgmental approach Meetup.com: www.meetup.com/ has a way of connecting us when words just helps each person tap MOJO-Jamming-Ottawa don’t work anymore. into what matters most. She is also the creator Room 217 Foundation: www.room217.ca of Rendezvous Rupert, where she hosts On Mom’s more talkative days, I notice retreats, music jams, and art play dates Thanatology (An Introduction): that her string of incomprehensible words (www.lindavanderlee.com). www.algonquincollege.com/ccol/courses/ introduction-to-thanatology
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