A Sound Mind
The rhythm really gets you.
It hasn’t exactly been an inspiring time to write about nightlife. To say the least. And figuring out how to bounce back from my post election malaise has been particularly tough. The good news is, after pouring my post-election despair onto nearly nine pages, I ultimately decided to spare you my saga. Because why oh why would you want to hear what I don’t even want in my mind?!
Reading back on the doldrums of my despondence, it was clear just how much decadence it was dripping in. A loop-de-loop of sorts, AKA a spiral- exacerbated by looming fears of an uncertain future outweighing my clear and present reality. The result of which was lethargy that overshadowed perspective of so much of which I’m fortunate for. I’m calling this self indulgent state of mind my “luxury tantrum.” And this (too long) moment of myopic melancholy nearly convinced me to end Rants and Raves.
I alas mustered a self induced proverbial bitch slap to reality. And thank goodness for that. Because my sad girl energy isn’t helpful to anything or anyone. Especially myself.
Also…it’s quite boring.
And thus began my re-callibration quest to find rationale to continue ranting and raving. Recent events were a jolt to the system- and reminded me that in the grand scheme of things, I don’t know Jack shit. But I do know this- Jack your body is a spoonful of sugar that helps me calm my ass down. Rhythm resuscitates me. A sonic soothing satiates sadness.
I fundamentally believe in music’s ability to intrinsically impact people at their core, and in turn society as strangers swirl and twirl across dancefloors. Music’s potential to impact us can too often be diminished and neglected. Which is ridiculous since it’s a rock steady amidst a world seemingly spinning in reverse. Now…don’t get it twisted- I’m no Pollyanna. It’s not like we’re all going to sing Kumbaya and heal the world. That would be beyond weird and really creep me out.
So many of us are grasping and scrambling for some semblance of optimism right now. So let’s not neglect feeding our emotional intelligence; which gifts us increased capacity to absorb beats, melodies and harmonies- to in turn cope with the complexities of life. A magic wand music is not. But it might very well be the conduit you need to keep pushing through. In a life filled with uncertainty, sonics are unwavering. And dancefloors are excellent deciphers to decode or unload anything that’s on your mind by manifesting it through the body. Get in synch to sop up every ounce and iota of sound.
The Present is a Present. So whether you’re prancing with people at a party or solo and singing in the shower- don’t forget that tuning in can turn up your sanity. Or at least a more stable frame of mind. Sure silence can be golden but sometimes it just magnifies the spinning cogs in your brain.
Going through it?! Play on repeat all the songs that cause your heart to swell. Or perhaps search for new treasures that are totally different from your usual listening pleasures. Music in its multitude of forms is an infinite well that can quiet an echo chamber of thoughts. And it can serve to satiate your soul even in the most struggle-bus of circumstances.
Just what is it about music that has such a profound impact on one’s psyche? I’ve waxed on (hopefully) poetically with my introspective take. But what exactly is the science as to why sound resonates with humans so strongly? To no surprise of anyone…I’m not a scientist. My “Dancefloor PhD” was decreed by none other than me. So subjective perspective aside- I thought to share actual research that reinforces what many of us intrinsically feel and may just need a timely reminder of.
(See above) “Dance was actually the intervention that had the largest impact on depression in this meta-analysis—outperforming even cognitive behavioral therapy and a mix of exercise and SSRI medication.”1
“Our favorite melodies release dopamine, known as the feel-good hormone, which activates our brain’s pleasure and reward system. Music can have a positive, immediate impact on our mental state; fast tempos can psychologically and physiologically arouse us, helping energize us for the day. Slower, meditative tunes can help us to relax and lower our stress levels.”2
“Darwin postulated a basis for music in sexual selection on social behavior. Specifically, he proposed that the vocalizations of our ancestors were likely more musical than linguistic, comprising greater regularity in pitch and time, and functioning mainly in signaling affect, attracting mates, and threatening rivals. From this perspective, “music” provided the foundation for the evolution of human language, centering its underlying biology within the study of human cognition and communication more broadly.”3
“One of the frequent problems reported by patients attempting to overcome the effects of trauma is repetitive negative thoughts they are unable to turn off. Dance can be an effective way to stop these thoughts by providing an escape into the physicality of the body, acting as an analgesic, and prompting the release of mood-enhancing endorphins in the brain.”4
“A 2021 study, published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, found that 95% of dancers who just moved their bodies, regardless of how it looked to the outside world, still had huge benefits with depression, anxiety, and trauma.” 5