From my own experience with mental health battles and understanding my own neurodivergence, I have used music to guide me through my studies.

Walking to and from classes at the beginning of a new semester to ease anxieties, using my own interests as a conversation starter, and even in the library with my headphones on.

I’ve used music to help understand myself my whole life. Growing up, it’s easy to feel misunderstood and having a comforting distraction such as music can be lifesaving.  

If you are neurodivergent or have experiences struggling with mental health, getting stuck into music might be your way forward!

A survey conducted by Harvard Medical School and AARP revealed that ‘music listeners had higher scores for mental well-being and slightly reduced levels of anxiety and depression compared to people overall,’ supporting that listening to music can be a great coping mechanism, acting as a healthy distraction from everyday anxieties.  

Music can be beneficial to neurodivergent people even more so, by helping them feel more understood in a society when they may feel out of place.

It’s especially helpful when bands and music artists themselves open up about their own mental health struggles or neurological differences, providing a layer of comfort and mutual understanding for people like me and other fans.

This is as well as allowing themselves to take on the role as a positive role model for awareness on topics such as mental health and neurodiversity.  

Reading and analysing lyrics can be a really helpful tool to help process and express feelings you would otherwise be unsure of how to do.

Learning an instrument too can be a really healthy outlet, allowing you to put your energy into something productive; as well as expressing your creativity through a medium like song-writing which would allow you to put your emotions into words that you feel you may not be able to say otherwise.  

Another great way to boost your happiness is going to concerts. When going to music venues you’re able to meet and talk to other likeminded fans and make new friends within different subcultures that you may not be able to find in places like school or work.

If you attend smaller concerts, you also have the opportunity for artist to fan interaction, whether that’s during the show whilst you’re in the crowd or when the show is over.

Some of my favourite gig experiences have been at The Waterfront venue where I’ve been able to meet some of my favourite bands such as Sleeping With Sirens and Graphic Nature.

I’ve had conversations with these artists about their touring experiences, their music processes and how some of my favourite tracks/ albums have come to be, as well as their own musical interests and influences which was really inspiring and motivating.

It can be really cool to find out you have the same favourite band as one of your favourite artists!  

Music is so easily accessible today, through so many ways and I would greatly encourage you to have a listen and try something new – you never know what experiences could arise from it! 

Image Credit: Izzy Hollyhead