This week, 19 – 25 February, is OCD Week of Action, established to raise awareness and understanding of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) – a mental health condition that affects *12 in every 1000 people.
If you spent a day inside the mind of someone living with OCD you’ll learn that feelings of stress and anxiety are common. On the outside, a person may appear as if everything is normal, but on the inside, they can be experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. The heart might start to beat faster, the breath may become shorter and they may even feel a sense of nervousness in the pit of their stomach.
When I feel stressed out and anxious, I like to quieten my surroundings by finding a calming space to regroup until the anxiety passes. Being able to focus only on my breath, with no outside distractions, allows me to quieten my thoughts. But living in the heart of the city, one that’s almost never quiet, it’s not always easy to find a quiet spot to calm an anxious mind. So I resort to the next best thing: music.
While music is still considered an exterior stimulant, the right type of music certainly has the ability to soothe and relax your mind when the feeling of anxiety rushes over you. As music absorbs our attention, it can act as a distraction and can sometimes influence our emotions, like reducing stress and helping with feelings of depression. There is also the rising trend of music therapists joining the world of healthcare. And just last year, Prime Minister Theresa May announced a new healthcare strategy which gave GPs in England permission to prescribe social activities such as dance to patients in primary care.
Here are 15 of my favourite songs to listen to when I’m feeling stressed out and anxious:
Are you, or someone you know, living with OCD? Are you feeling stressed out more often than not? There are resources available to help you find support. Our OCD UK online peer-support community is a great place to start; join the community and speak to others who are going through the same health challenge.
*Source: OCD UK