Music, movement, and substantive dialogue may be very different things, but they do have one thing very powerful in common. They all possess a tremendous ability to help us heal, cope with the struggles of life, and access the resilience that each of us has inside.
For instance, consider Brian Mackey—a musician who made his tale of loss and rebirth into something profoundly affecting through his music. Since the tragic death of his son in 2018, Brian sought comfort and a sense of renewed purpose through producing his album, “Good Morning Ireland.” Ireland is special to his heart, not only as the land of his forefathers but also because it is the burial place of his son. Brian frames the experience of releasing his son into the light of an Irish river morning as a turning point—one that fundamentally influenced his work.
For Brian, music then became a style of “talk therapy set to melody.” Music assisted him through the most painful feelings and events in life that words alone were unable to manage. Even if you’re not a musician, he believes music can be a tool for anyone to reflect, release, and heal. Songs like “Dublin Night Bird” and “Saturday Night Sleeping” capture his path through grief, while tracks like “You Are Amazing,” inspired by the birth of his daughter, celebrate hope and new beginnings.
But music is not the only way to heal. Movement—particularly dance—can be equally as effective when it comes to working through emotions. Therapists tell us we must “feel our feelings,” but many of us aren’t entirely sure how to do that. Dance provides a means to move through our emotions, literally. Allowing our bodies to express what our minds sometimes cannot assist us in releasing tension, reducing anxiety, and increasing mood-enhancing chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin.
The therapeutic advantages of dance do not end there. It has been found to enhance cognitive function, assist with processing old trauma, and fortify the mind-body connection. Whether after a difficult exchange, a particularly grueling day, or simply a bumpy period in life, dancing—in a packed room or alone—can be a happy act of self-love.
Then, of course, there is the place conflict plays in healing, which we tend to underestimate. Bob Bordone and Dr. Joel Salinas explore that in their book, Conflict Resilience, presenting a new lens through which to view disagreements. Rather than trying to avoid conflict, they urge us to greet it with openness and curiosity. Conflict, according to them, can serve as an opening to greater connection.
Bob and Joel’s style reminds us that sweeping things under the rug tends to leave us feeling more isolated. But when we welcome conflict with toughness—by being attuned to our own feelings and communicating them well—we can use difficult conversations as a chance for genuine growth and deeper relationships.
Whether it’s through the emotional words of a song, the liberating motion of a dance, or the courageous work of leaning into conflict, these practices remind us that healing isn’t a straight line. It’s a deeply personal, often creative process. And along the way, we reconnect not just with ourselves, but with the people around us.
More for you:
Interview: Brian Mackey on Ireland, Loss, and Rebirth
Therapist’s Guide: Essential Stress-Busting Dance Songs
Heal Your Heartbreak