Commonly, people who report symptoms of depression lack pleasure or lack of interest in activities and/or loss of meaning.  The act of creating music allows you to take risks and experience yourself in a different way, while being supported in a therapeutic setting. Especially if you have a difficult time expressing yourself otherwise, you can experience moving emotions through playing music. Allow the music you create to have meaning to you. You can create a song specifically around the sadness you feel from losing a beloved pet, the struggle you experience after a career change, the longing of leaving something of value to you. Let those emotions and experiences guide your music as you play. When engaged in music, you allow yourself to relate differently. Instead of using words, you use emotion, tone, rhythm, and collaboration. Interacting and engaging through music allows you to express yourself when words may be difficult to find, but the emotion is not.  Working with a music therapist can help you connect more deeply with your emotions and work through them in a supportive environment. Notice how you feel when you play music. Do you feel present, focused on the moment, the music, and the feeling? These can be healing factors to depression. Music can be described as sound, which can be further reduced to vibration. Vibration therapy (called vibroacoustic therapy) uses low level vibrations that can be heard and felt  and applies them to the body. Vibroacoustic therapy works with the body in a way that allows the emotions and body to work more harmoniously together by stimulating different parts of the body through vibration. While still gaining momentum as a treatment option for depression, some studies have concluded positive responses to vibroacoustic therapy as a treatment approach to depression.  Vibroacoustic therapy also helps with chronic pain(such as fibromyalgia)  by lowering pain, increasing movement, and reducing medication dosage.  If you’re working with a music therapist, ask to play with vibration through drumming. Ask if vibroacoustic therapy is available. While many people know that exercise is a beneficial way to treat depression, even making movements and experiencing yourself as a physical being can be beneficial in treating depression.  The act of strumming a guitar, banging a drum, or moving a bow on a violin can trigger movements that can beneficially contribute to treating depression. The human body often reacts to music through the tapping of a foot, a head nod, or through clapping. Music helps you connect with your body and move naturally. It doesn’t matter whether you consider yourself a “good” singer or not, singing can help lift your mood and your thoughts and promote relaxation. Sing songs that you know and that put you in a good mood. Notice how you feel after a few minutes of singing; has your mood or thoughts shifted?  Sing in the shower, in the car, and around your house. Sing to your children, your pets, or your garden. Don’t be shy to sing, remember it’s good for you! Create a sing-along playlist to play whenever you feel stressed or down. Sing along and gauge how you feel afterward. If you’re working with a music therapist, ask to include singing with playing instruments. Even if you sing nonsense words, it’s okay to just use your voice. If you don’t know how to play an instrument, pick one up. After all, playing an instrument engages more parts of the brain than any other known activity.Spend a few moments each day playing the instrument and notice how you feel. Choose an instrument that brings you joy and pleasure; it can be as complex as a trumpet or as simple as a rattle. Don’t get overly ambitious in picking up a new instrument; this is supposed to be a fun experience, not a difficult or frustrating one. After all it’s not “working” an instrument, but “playing” one.
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One-sentence summary -- Create meaning through music. Relate to people and yourself differently. Explore vibration treatment. Get in touch with movement. Sing. Learn an instrument.


Find a quiet place away from any distractions. Make sure the room is a comfortable temperature.  Put on some soft music Light some candles to prepare the room. Explain what you will be doing, and tell them to notify you of any discomfort or pain. Stand behind, placing your hands lightly on their shoulders as you both take several deep breaths.
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One-sentence summary -- Make preparations. Have the recipient take a seat and get comfortable.


If you are unhappy in a relationship, ending it quickly may rob you of the possibility to get to the root of the problem. It can take months to figure out if your partnership can improve or not. In some cases, it might make sense to detach emotionally for a short period, while staying in the relationship.  For instance, you might detach if your relationship has soured due to a recent change in you and your partner's routine. You might both just need time to readjust. If you and your significant other are constantly at odds, or in an on-again-off-again pattern, consider detaching. When tensions die down, both of you can reach a better decision about whether or not the relationship should continue. Don't detach before you have tried seriously to fix the issues in your relationship. Detachment should only be employed if you are on the verge of breaking up. If you live together, have a child, or own a pet, a home, or business, you will need to remain physically present and attentive. Detaching emotionally means holding back emotionally from the relationship for a while, but you can still share labor and everyday activities with your partner. If you and your partner do not share responsibility for a child, another dependent, a pet, a home, or business, you may have the option of taking physical time apart. Take a business trip or a vacation by yourself, or with a group of non-intimate acquaintances, such as a hiking group. Don't announce your plans to detach, but if asked, say that you are thinking about the relationship and focusing on yourself for a while. You may not want to use the word "detach" or "disengage" unless that is the language you and your partner already share. Instead, say you need time to focus on a project you have, on getting right with yourself, or on work. It is unfair to your partner if you expect emotional support from them while simultaneously withholding your emotions from them. It will also make it hard for you to stay disengaged. Rely on your friends and family for advice and socialization. Confide in friends and family that are your own, rather than yours and your partner's. In your time detached, focus on figuring out your feelings. What do you need to change in your relationship? What of your needs are unmet? It may help to talk to a therapist. This is a time of sorting through your own feelings, not criticizing your partner. Abstain from sexual contact during this time. If you have realized that you want to stay in the relationship, you may have to woo your partner back. He or she may feel hurt and abandoned by your detachment. Explain that you were afraid of breaking up and that you were trying to cool off and not make a rash decision. Make an honest attempt to state your needs and listen to the needs of your partner. If you have decided that your relationship is over, use the perspective gained in your detachment to compassionately end your relationship.
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One-sentence summary --
Decide if detachment is appropriate. Detach without neglecting shared responsibilities. Take physical space. Explain to your partner that you need to focus on yourself for a while if you are asked. Get support from friends. Focus on getting in touch with yourself. Decide what's next.