To Chill Out To!

By: Young Person

Some days, I just lock myself in my room, turn off the lights, curl up on the bed, and listen to music. More often then not, I always feel better after doing this, even if I'm having the worst of days. I just fill my mind with music and forget everything else.

Sometimes a particular song seems to ache, and breathe, and slip around my body. It can float all around, an untouchable mass filling my room. Songs can make me cry or carry me to new heights. Music is an extremely personal thing. A good melody can be really inspiring at times.

I've made a tape of songs that I like to listen to. Each song has a power behind it; each its own story. I don't listen to it much - that would spoil the effect. But when I can't sleep, or am studying for exams, or a little worried about stuff, I just start listening to my tape. It sings to my heart, and seems to touch that which is usually untouchable.

It's a mixture of heaps of songs- happy and sad, ones we used to sing when I was little, something that a friend gave me, classical stuff to make me go to sleep. Indescribable feelings are exposed and expressed through the song collection. Depending on my mood, different songs click better than others. I could find myself shattered, broken to pieces and then reassembled again over a particular song. The words can penetrate with the same sharpness and quickness as a knife through flesh. Other times, a song just won't let go of me. It enchants, entertains and bedazzles me for days.

When I listen to my tape, I shut my eyes. No longer am I just listening, but I am part of it. It gives a strange sense of freedom. It unlocks the door of creativity in my mind. It inspires, enchants, and suspends all thoughts.

It's indescribable how listening to a song can change everything. It's said that a powerful enough song can even change your life. Music can even teach what humanity cannot always - how to be human, live, feel and love. I'd recommend to anyone that if things aren't going right, and you don't know what to do, just turn up some good music, and tune out for a few minutes before you attempt to figure everything out again.

Need some more tips on how to chill out and stress less? Have a look at some more ReachOut.com fact sheets and stories for some top tips...

• Relaxation (Fact sheet)
• Music videos(Video)
• Me Time(Story)
• Happy Tunes Playlist (Forum)