The Healing Power of Music
We have all listened to a song that just made our day better. The lyrics or beat of a track has the power to make us feel happy, motivated, energized, or relaxed. The endless magic of music is special in that way: a shared, universal language that connects us to each other.
Mental Health Month is a time dedicated to focusing on mental health and promoting wellbeing. This year, we recognize the profound impact that music can have on all aspects of health, especially our mental wellness.
Whether it’s listening to your favorite playlist or records, playing an instrument, or engaging in music therapy, music has the unique ability to heal, uplift, and connect us.
Music as Medicine: The Mind-Body-Music Connection
Our bodies can change and react to music in surprising ways. When we listen to or play music, our body chemistry responds by:
- Increasing dopamine and oxytocin, the feel-good chemicals
- Reducing cortisol, the stress hormone
- Engaging multiple areas of the brain related to emotion, memory, and movement
- Stimulating positive memories
In turn, numerous aspects of sound and song, like rhythm and tempo and genre, influence both how we function and feel. Music can be good for our physical health in many ways, including:
- Reducing stress and anxiety by relaxing us
- Lowering blood pressure, helping blood flow more easily, and reducing heart rate
- Improving exercise by motivating us to exercise harder and longer
- Improving sleep quality when calming music is played before bed
Music supports positive emotional, cognitive, and mental health through:
- Improving mood, feelings of optimism, and helping with depression
- Giving voice to our emotions as a powerful coping tool for life’s difficulties
- Increasing concentration and mental alertness while giving us energy
- Keeping the brain engaged by improving attention and stimulating memories
- Connecting us with others when shared musical experiences foster a sense of belonging and community.
- Boosting creativity and imagination
- Increasing self-esteem and confidence by promoting self-expression
- Fostering empathy by connecting with the experience of others from different backgrounds and cultures.
- Enhancing spiritual wellness through meditation and worship
Therapeutic Healing Through Music
Music therapy, facilitated by trained professionals, is an effective treatment for individuals coping with various mental health challenges. For some people, music therapy can also help alleviate pain. It is used in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and counseling programs to help individuals process trauma or grief; improve communication and emotional expression; reduce symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety; and enhance overall quality of life.
Interested in starting your healing journey and don't know where to start? Visit NorthRange.org or call 970.347.2120 to set up an initial appointment.
"Where words fail, music speaks”
–Hans Christian Anderson
Music is the symphony of our souls, the poetry of our place in the world, the language of our lives, and the melody of our minds.
As we observe Mental Health Month, let’s incorporate the therapeutic benefits of music. Whether you’re using music as a personal coping tool or engaging in professional music therapy, embracing the power of sound can contribute to a healthier, more balanced life.
Let’s make mental health a priority—one note at a time.
Harmonize Your Mind:
Songs of Hope Playlist
Tune into yourself with our “Harmonize Your Mind” playlist full of hopeful songs compiled by North Range team members.
Mental Health Month Events
A Human Experience: Dylan Fixmer’s Concerto for Electric Cello
May 17th from 7pm—9pm
Event Details
North Range is partnering with the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra on a very important musical event during May is Mental Health Month. Composer, Dylan Fixmer’s Concerto for Electric Cello, commissioned by cellist Becky Kutz Osterberg, will bring awareness to and help destigmatize depression while creating hope, solidarity, and community. A Human Experience will tell the story of Becky’s journey through depression and the healing process utilizing the medium of solo electric cello and symphony orchestra. North Range is honored to commission the third movement of the work entitled, “III: Hope, Out of the Darkness”
Saturday, May 17th from 7pm—9pm
Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Avenue in Greeley
This concert is sponsored by Baessler Homes, North Range Behavioral Health, Ent Credit Union, The Steadman Group, & Cache NHA.
Harmonize Your Mind with North Range and High Plains Library District
Multiple Dates and Times Throughout May
Event Details
Mindful Music
Music can be a valuable tool for enhancing your everyday life. Together, we’ll discover the transformative power of music on your mental, physical, and social wellbeing while having time to explore different instruments hands-on. We’ll also experiment with singing as a tool for overall wellness. Don’t worry – it’s not about how we sound; it’s about how experimenting with music makes us feel. Brought to you in partnership with the High Plains Library District.
- Wednesday, May 7th from 5pm—6pm
- LINC Library Innovation Center
- Adults 18+
- Register here starting on April 16th
Mental Health 101 for Teens
Like physical health, we all have mental health. Many of us know about taking care of our physical health, but taking care of our mental health might not be on our radar. Mental health refers to the state of our emotions, thoughts and feelings and how we understand the world around us. Join us to learn the “what, why and how” of taking care of our Mental Health.
- Monday, May 5th from 5pm-6pm
- Centennial Park Library
- Teens
- Register here.
Sound Bowl Meditation
Learn about and experience the benefits of sound meditation. For centuries sound meditation has been an approach in holistic medicine and is associated with reducing stress and anxiety, lowering anger and blood pressure, improving circulation and blood flow, helping with pain relief, and promoting improved well-being. Bring your own yoga mat, pillow, and blanket for your comfort as we embrace an evening of self-care. We will also have chairs available for those that prefer to sit as they meditate.
- Wednesday, May 14th from 6pm—7pm
- LINC Library Innovation Center
- Register here starting on April 23rd
Self-Care for The Real World
For many of us, self-care is difficult to define, and it can be hard to find ways to integrate it into daily life. Join us to learn practical self-care and stress management techniques that you can use to promote, protect, and maintain wellness.
- Tuesday, May 20th from 6pm—7pm
- Centennial Park Library
- Register here.
Mindfulness IRL (for teens!)*
Mindfulness, or paying attention to the present moment without judgment, is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, boost attention and concentration, improve relationships, and find happiness. In this program, we’ll tour different stations that teach us how to incorporate mindfulness into our everyday lives through simple practices.
- Tuesday, May 27th from 5pm—6:30pm
- LINC Library Innovation Center
- Teens
- Check out the High Plains Library District Event Calendar for registration
*Part of LINC’s Adulting Program for teens
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a nationally recognized certification-based course focused on reducing suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention strategies. QPR provides basic level suicide prevention information, outreach, and education, and details how to ask for and give help and where to find referral information. The intention is to identify and interrupt the crisis and direct that person to the proper care. Similarly to CPR, QPR is an emergency first aid mental health intervention designed to increase positive outcomes for suicidal persons until professional help can arrive.
- Wednesday, May 28th from 5pm—6:30pm
- Centennial Park Library
- Register here.
English and Spanish Community QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Training with Greeley-Evans School District 6
May 8th from 4:30pm-6pm
Event Details
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) is a nationally recognized certification-based course focused on reducing suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention strategies. QPR provides basic level suicide prevention information, outreach, and education, and details how to ask for and give help and where to find referral information. The intention is to identify and interrupt the crisis and direct that person to the proper care. Similarly to CPR, QPR is an emergency first aid mental health intervention designed to increase positive outcomes for suicidal persons until professional help can arrive.
- 2105 Clubhouse Drive, Greeley, CO 80634
- This presentation will be in English and Spanish. Offered in collaboration with Greeley-Evans School District 6
Fill Your Cup with FREE Coffee
May 9th starting at 8am
Event Details
In celebration of Mental Health Month, North Range is partnering with The Human Bean to offer $5 off the first 50 orders at the following locations May 9th starting at 8am:
- Greeley: 3665 W 10th Street
- Windsor: 405 E Main Street
- LaSalle: 100 S 2nd Street
Frontier House 14th Annual Breakfast
May 14th from 7:30am—9am
Event Details
Clubhouses, like Frontier House, foster dignity, self-respect, and success for persons with mental illness by connecting members to the community and supporting members in achieving their full potential. Mark your calendars and join us for a morning of inspirational stories of how Frontier House changes the lives of people living with mental illness.
- Wednesday, May 14th from 7:30am—9am
- Doubletree by Hilton at Lincoln Park, 919 7th Street, Greeley
Be Mindful, It Matters Mental Health Exhibit
Throughout April and May
Event Details
CAHEC's Be Mindful exhibit is a mobile, interactive and fun tool to break down mental health stigma in our communities by sparking conversations. Discover the facts and relate to the experiences of fellow Coloradans, as you delve deeper into the topic that affects everyone - mental health.
- April 22nd - May 15th at the LINC Library (501 8th Avenue in Greeley)
- May 15 - 21st at the Union Colony Civic Center (701 10th Avenue in Greeley)
Heartbeat: Suicide Loss Survivor Group
May 20th from 7pm—8pm
Event Details
Join Suicide Education and Support Services’ Heartbeat group for a creative and reflective experience where they explore the power of music and art as a form of healing. Through sound and simple drawings, they will create a space for hope and connection. No artistic experience is needed. New members are welcomed to join this group focused on reflection and healing.
- Tuesday, May 20th from 7pm—8pm
- 2105 Clubhouse Drive in Greeley
- For more information, email NRBH_SESS@NorthRange.org.
Weld Your Mettle Running Festival
May 24th—26th
Event Details
North Range is proud to be a sponsor of the Weld Your Mettle Running Festival, hosted by the run.Windsor Race Series. The four day running events is for all levels; choose between a 7k run, ruck OR complete the 4 mile out and back route as many times as you can in the 3, 6, 9, 12, 24 or 48 Hour events as an individual or relay team. The Weld Your Mettle Running Festival is the perfect opportunity to bring all your running friends together for saunas, cold plunges, a running documentary, food, swag, and running.
- May 24th—26th
- 11586 CR 80 in Eaton
This is more than a run. It's an invitation to change your life, challenge your excuses, dig deep, and WELD YOUR METTLE.
Registration and race details can be found at weldyourmettleultra.com.
