The Power of Music for Self-Care
Music has always been a powerful force in my life.
I create playlists for all of my events, programs, retreats, and yoga classes. I genuinely love curating music. For me, playlists are more than background sound. They hold memories. A single song can take me right back to a moment, a feeling, or a season of my life.
Music can create a vibe.
It can shift your energy.
And I truly believe it can heal.
One of the deepest reasons I believe this comes from one of the most difficult moments of my life.
When my daughter was seven years old, she suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by a stroke during surgery. She was in a coma for weeks, and our world stood still.
During that time, we played music constantly in her hospital room. We played the songs she loved. The music she danced to in her last dance recital. At that time, her favorite artist was Hannah Montana, so there was a lot of that on repeat.
Somehow, deep in my gut, I knew she could hear it.
I knew the music would comfort her. I knew it would remind her of joy, movement, and life. And I knew it would help guide her back to us.
I truly believe it worked.
Music became a bridge. A reminder of who she was. A thread connecting her body, brain, and spirit during a time when words and touch were not enough. Since then, music has become one of my most trusted tools. It is woven into everything I do.
If you participate in one of my programs, retreats, or classes, you can almost guarantee that you will receive access to a thoughtfully created playlist. Music is not an add-on for me. It is part of the experience, the healing, and the transformation.
Why Music Is Powerful - The Science Behind It
What I felt intuitively during my daughter’s recovery is now strongly supported by research.
Here is what science tells us about music:
Music activates multiple areas of the brain at once, including areas responsible for emotion, memory, movement, and regulation.
Familiar music has been shown to stimulate memory and awareness, even in people who are unconscious or recovering from brain injury.
Music can help regulate the nervous system by lowering cortisol levels and supporting relaxation or activation, depending on the rhythm and tempo.
Listening to meaningful music releases dopamine, the feel-good neurotransmitter linked to motivation, pleasure, and hope.
Music therapy is widely used in hospitals and rehabilitation settings to support recovery, emotional processing, and healing.
In short, music speaks to parts of us that words cannot reach.
It bypasses logic and goes straight to the nervous system, the heart, and the soul.
How You Can Use Music as a Self-Care Tool
Music does not have to be passive. You can use it intentionally.
Here are a few simple ways to start:
Create a grounding playlist for when you feel overwhelmed or anxious.
Choose energizing music to support movement, motivation, or confidence.
Use familiar songs that are tied to positive memories when you need comfort.
Play instrumental or slow-tempo music during journaling, breathwork, or rest.
Let your body respond naturally. Sway, tap, breathe, or simply listen.
Music meets you exactly where you are.
And sometimes, it gently carries you to where you need to go.
Music is not just something we listen to. It is something we feel, remember, and carry with us. It can ground us, energize us, and help regulate our nervous system in moments when life feels overwhelming. That is why music is woven into everything I create. It is one of the ways I help women reconnect to themselves, soften, and heal. I encourage you to explore how music can support your own self-care practice and become part of your personal toolkit. Your body already knows what it needs. Sometimes, music is the invitation to listen.
