SoulsilenS, a self-described “conscious rock group” that writes songs about human feelings and good intentions, is kicking off a World Tour for their debut album to deliver great music and promote the PRO-GREEN movement.

While rock-n-roll has often been about attitude, music’s impact on attitude and regulating mood inspires intriguing discussion.

Music is often used in advertising to enrich key messages - and is believed to be one of the most stimulating components in t.v. and radio commercials (Hecker 1984). Music positively arouses consumer emotional states (Stout & Lockney, 1988). Exciting music can heighten emotional response. Calm music can decrease anxiety and help you tame your tiger. Music therapy has been used effectively to combat depression, for stress management, for meditative healing, to improve behavior in Autistic children. Believe it or not, children spontaneously create songs and make music (2-6 songs per hour) at age 2 (although by age 5 word language takes over the world of sound in most children).

If you want to change your attitude, change your music. Listen to music that is appropriate for your desired feelings. Upbeat music for energy, slow ballads to help you relax. Better yet, choose your own personal theme song. I have one that I play before I speak at events and before important meetings or media interviews. It gets me going. Sometimes I even sing it in the shower (heck yeah, I’m off-key, and I’m proud of it).

And crazy as it sounds, singing doesn’t have to be in private. I was once in the crowded Newark Airport, getting a little stressed out looking for the rental car desk. Off in the distance, I heard something extraordinary: one guy singing. He was in charge of giving people information - where to go and how to get there. I walked over and asked how to get to the rental car place. He sang me the directions. What an experience! Filled with enthusiasm. I smiled, laughed, and walked away feeling good. Singing a direction or question may just get you a better response.

Janice Harris talks more about music therapy over on her Music Therapy Show blog.

Don’t be fooled into thinking something this simple can’t be powerful. A simple song and the right theme music can kickstart your attitude and change your life.

Tags: music