Hello World! My name is Colleen. I am sixteen years old, a junior in high school, and my life revolves around music. Ever since I was little, I’ve interpreted music into so many parts of my life. Personally, I use it to cope with my crippling depression and anxiety, my body disorders, my learning disabilities, and so much more. I will be updating my blog daily to show you how music therapy has affected so many lives and can change yours too.

The Chinese word for medicine, yao, is derived from the word for music, yue.

Music therapy is known as the skillful use of musical elements to develop, maintain, and restore mental, physical, and spiritual health. Music has nonverbal, inventive, structural, and emotional qualities. It’s used as a form of meditation, that can turn off the thinking of the mind. Unlike prescription medicines, music impact is felt immediately. Music can be portrayed as a supplement, a daily vitamin for your health and well-being. Music therapy is an affordable, simple, enjoyable strategy to reduce pain. Follow along with my blog to compose a daily routine for your spirituality and health.

Click Here to watch a quick video on the introduction to music therapy.

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Something everyone knows about me is that I love concerts. I love the thought of them, the production of them, and especially attending them. Concert going is one of the many forms of music therapy I use to help myself; they’re like the medicine I need to survive. In my opinion, concerts are so good for self-help. Seeing your favorite artist in person is an experience I can barely put into words. The atmosphere and the energy in the room immediately lifts my state of mind. The people you meet are incredible, whether you talk all day to pass time while waiting in line, or make a life long friend. The feeling of anticipation is a natural high I feel with nothing else. Not to mention the calories your burn jumping up and down for hours, the memories you gain are unforgettable.

 
Here is a picture of me at the 97x Tampa NBT Concert. I traveled from Massachusetts to see my favorite band in December of two thousand and fifteen. This was the best day of my life. After getting there at eight in the morning and waiting until ten at night, the fourteen-hour wait in ninety-degree weather was so worth it. I’ve never experienced such an emotional release before, it was like all the weight on my shoulders was finally lifted after sixteen years. Here are some memories from that day and other concerts I have attended.

 

Image by Shauna McNally