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Music can play a big part in our lives. We listen to music when we are happy, sad, to relax or calm down or to pump us up ready to go.

Research suggests that music can stimulate the body’s natural feel good chemicals for example, endorphins, oxytocin. So it can help to energize our moods, help us work through problems, and even help to free our minds.

Listening to music is a popular way to cope with difficult times. Music can sometimes:

• express how we are feeling

• relate to our own experiences and emotions

• vent difficult thoughts and emotions

• comfort us

Sometimes listening to music will help us improve our mood or energy, but sometimes listening to music isn’t helpful.

Why does music sometimes make us feel worse?

It is true that sometimes our choice of music, or the music we hear around us can make us feel worse - why is this and how can we ensure the way we use music has a positive effect on us?

Here are some points to consider:

• What does the music do for you?
• Try and become aware of the effect certain songs, styles and artists have on you.
• Does it allow you to sit with a mood, change a mood or set a new mood?
• Does it make you feel better or worse?
• Is it helpful to feel worse? When does it stop being helpful? When is it not helpful?

For example, rather than music having a calming effect on you, listening to it might make you feel more angry or anxious.

Once we are aware of how music affects us, we can then start to be more conscious about what and when we listen to music.

Many young people say that having their music on shuffle is not always the best way when they are having a tough time. Instead, being aware of their music choice and how the music affects them is more helpful.

So try considering these points to help you find a more effective way of listening to music, especially during tough times.

Playlists for specific times

Some young people have suggested creating playlists for different times can be really helpful.

Check out the music section on TINO for playlists created by other young people and young people’s stories for some examples and inspiration.

Listening to music doesn’t have to be the only way music can help. You might find singing, playing an instrument, writing your own music or song more helpful. The key is to become aware of how different music and uses of music affects you.

So give making a playlist of songs a try and you might find that listening to your music more consciously will help you feel more in control of your feelings.

Tune Your Mood

We recently held a  competition inviting you to create a helpful playlist of your own and submit it as part of Making Music Being Well Week, visit our Music Room to check out the entries.

Getting Help

If you require further support or help now - please visit our finding help page for links to services which can assist.

Prepared by Hense and McLeod 2013. Thank you to the young people who provided feedback.

Download this Factsheet

You can download a copy of this Music and Our Mental Health factsheet here