Live Whole Health: Self-care episode #5 – Music therapy and Movement

Music therapy is the evidence-based use of music for a therapeutic purpose. It can help promote relaxation, reduce depression and anxiety, and even help with pain management. It’s just one of several creative arts therapies (art, dance, drama, and music) that offer unique and distinct opportunities for the self-expression of each person’s individual feelings, emotions, physical abilities, and self-identity, as well as one’s relationships with others and the world in which they live.

Along with the benefits of music, being physically active is another important step that you can take to improve your health. Some physical activity is better than none, and any amount of physical activity can improve health-related fitness.

Music and movement can both be great ways to help relieve stress during tough times, but it’s also a fun combination together! Sing and move along with Music Therapist Matt Lloyd, MT-BC, as he combines both music and movement for this 17-minute and 30-second virtual Music and Movement Group from the VA Central Iowa Health Care System.

More information

For more information on Recreation Therapy in VA visit: https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/rectherapy/index.asp

For more information and self-care through the Whole Health Components of Health and Well-Being visit: https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTH/circle-of-health/moving-body.asp

Alison M. Whitehead, MPH is the Acting Director for the Integrative Health Coordinating Center in the VHA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation.