Music Therapy As A Means Of Stress Management: A Sociological Study Of Adolescents

Abstract

Music is one of the few activities that involve using the whole brain. It is intrinsic to all cultures and can have surprising benefits not only for learning language, improving memory and focusing attention, but also for physical coordination and development. Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illness. Against this backdrop, the objectives of the study mainly includes the Meaning and importance of music therapy followed by its during and after COVID 19 pandemic. It also explores the forms of music to listen during any depressive situation along with the ways by which music therapy can help adolescents. This research has been conducted by using secondary data- books and articles related to music therapy. The findings reveal that Music actually helps to relive most of us from stress and depression by taking us to an imaginatory world (hyper reality) where we are able to fulfil our unfulfilled expectations and desires of practical life. In terms of survival too, managing one’s emotions and social relationship is the major challenge that human race is facing. The most vulnerable group of such depression happens to be the youngsters who are facing different forms of mental distress to an unprecedented extent. This pandemic crisis and lockdown has tormented such a socio-psychological disorder among youngsters. With the significant rise in deaths caused by suicide, depression has been reported to be the major cause (as reported by World Health Organization). Furthermore, India is also reported to be the most depressed country in the world. One of the most effective ways to reduce such depression can be Music therapy. Music therapy provides capacity for evocation and relaxation. It is a means of recreation and leisure for most youngsters, especially adolescents. It helps to relieve an individual from any form of depression and reduces anxiety and pain perception by healing through muscle relaxation. Moreover, as it can be concluded that music heals the wounds caused by internal injuries and helps to improve social health since maintaining a proper health also depends on social factors and social norms and situations which encompass the individuals in society.