Kensington Park’s Annual Speaker Series: Local Author Spotlight
Tuesday, April 16th at 2pm: Susan Coll, Author of Acceptance
Space is limited, click HERE & RSVP Now!
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Kensington Park’s Annual Speaker Series: Local Author Spotlight
Tuesday, April 16th at 2pm: Susan Coll, Author of Acceptance
Space is limited, click HERE & RSVP Now!
Open Mobile Menu
Wellness Kensington Park

Musical Notes with Melissa: Music as Connection

Melissa Pate

Three Ways You Can Use Music to Connect with Your Loved One

Have you ever heard the phrase, “When words fail, music speaks?” Maybe you’ve experienced that for yourself – a situation when you didn’t have the right words to express yourself but there was a song that perfectly captured how you felt. I believe this phrase also rings true in our relationships with loved ones. Indeed, music can really break down barriers of communication to allow us to connect with our loved ones without words.

 

Here are three ways you can use music to connect with your loved one:

 

Find a song that is personally meaningful to your loved one.

We all have songs, artists, and genres that we enjoy, but there is research to suggest that personally meaningful music may be more beneficial in eliciting responses such as smiling, singing – even calling out for joy!

 

Find a song that relates to the season at hand or to something that reflects the present moment to spark reminiscence or discussion.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, you could, for example sing the song “Over the River and Through the Woods,” sharing memories of traveling for the holidays.

If it’s a nice day outside, songs like “What a Wonderful World” or “Blue Skies” could provide an opportunity to note the beautiful weather or changing leaves.

 

Sing together! 

Even if you’re not a musician, singing is an easy way to share an experience with your loved one that will make you both smile. Try folk songs like “You Are My Sunshine,” or “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean”— something they would have sung growing up. Don’t worry about how your voice sounds … just sing!

 

If you have any questions about this article or the music therapy program at Kensington Park, please feel free to reach out to me at mpate@kensingtonsl.com.

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