CORONA VIRUS and MUSIC

​Since many of our listeners are in the most vulnerable age range it seems fair that a certain amount of anxiety is on our minds.  I have observed that nearly everyone I have seen are taking the precautions seriously.  Paramount among the actions is staying at home except for limited trips for groceries or medicines.  Big Canoe normally has a wealth of opportunities to join with other residents for activities, meetings, entertainment, clubs, etc.  With few exceptions, these have all been shut down in response to the virus threat.
So how do we cope with this sudden change in our lifestyles?  One option is to follow every gut-wrenching report from the front lines of the crisis.  This will certainly amplify our fears and anxieties.
Another option is to imagine how you will feel when the crisis is over.  Will you look back and be proud of the way you handled yourself during these turbulent times?  Did I do what I could to protect my family, friends and neighbors from the spread of the virus?  Did I use this time to enrich myself personally?
Some suggestions include :

• Improve your learning about areas you have been curious about.
• Creative expression can elevate your mood, be it writing, organization or a new recipe.
• Delve into a project, hobby or other endeavor you have had on the back burner.
• Stay fit during this time.  Maintaining or improving your health will improve your odds if infected

Another response is provided by the great music library of Inside The Gates Radio.  The ways music impacts our mood is one of the main reasons people love listening to it!  Listening to music, despite your ability to play it or not, increases brain function. It improves critical thinking skills as we analyze what we are hearing, and makes our minds work to decipher the different melodies and arrangements—just like retaining information through reading or thinking.  Just like a photo, a song can spark a specific memory or thought. Some artists remind us of our childhood, some songs of our college days, some bands of a concert we attended. The distinctive sound of each musical genre can trigger memories in our brains associated with that sound—what a cool way to remember something!  Plus you can listen to this music alone or you can have it accompany you while you pursue some of the suggestions above.
 
To illustrate the power of music we can look to recent reports from Chicago, a city under stay-at-home orders.  People scattered throughout the Chicago metro area belted out Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer” at 7 pm on Saturday night, standing at windows, in yards and on balconies in freezing weather.  A radio station played the song at the designated time set by a Facebook Event that attracted some 20,000 people.
While “Livin’ On A Prayer” is not considered a great song, it is a good universal anthem song that people will sing along.  One participant said the sing-along was a “beautiful way to join together and share a brief moment of happiness in unity”.
 So please avail yourself of this great community resource whenever you like 24/7.  If you don’t already have the App, visit insidethegatesradio.com for all listening options.  And it is free!