Music and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Music has been on my mind, for the last couple of days. While I am writing this post, I am listening to Bob Dylan’s “Street Legal”. This confession may come as a bit of a shock, but I just discovered his music, last year. I mean really discovered it…..I now know more songs than just “Blowin’ In the Wind”.

I often hold music responsible for my moods. When I began working full time, I would set my alarm clock to the most high energy pop/rock radio station that I could find. Big mistake!!!! I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am very particular with my music choices. If a song came on the radio, first thing in the morning that I didnt like….well that could ruin my whole day. There was no real reason for why I was tired and miserable, except for the first sounds that I heard each morning. So I wised up. I now set my alarm to a classical music station. I set it to a time, that will play music for 20 minutes before the news comes on. I know that I must absolutely get up before the news. This works well because I can not stand to be in bed listening to the troubles of the world.

Today, I came across a list on About.com of the Top 10 CDs to Help You Sleep, and thats when I realized that music can help us heal. When I go to my monthly trip to the day spa, they play quiet new age music, and that totally puts me in the mood to relax. When I am cleaning, I put on something with a little bit of a beat, so I can dance to it (which makes cleaning a whole lot more bearable). When I am reading, its classical music, but it can be instrumental only, this helps me focus on the words. Think this over, and you might realize that music will help “heighten” certain moments in your life.

Now music to sleep by, is a totally different story. For me putting music on before I go to sleep just doesnt work. Mostly because I have a really active dream life now ~ and I find that music encourages the crazy dreams. So now, I try to listen to some meditation cds. I find that these cds totally help me with quality sleep. Of course, this works for me….I am not an authority on sleep patterns for everyone else, nor am I an authority on choosing music for anyone other than myself.
However, if you are interested in the music that I listen to these days on a regular basis….this is a list of the music that makes up my personal soundtrack. Its a little bit of everything. And for me its quietly energizing….and not overwhelming at all. With the exception of maybe the classical music….but I suspect that I may be the only one who gets a little “verklempt” at those works.

Veneer – Jose Gonzalez
Life Aquatic of Steve Zissou – Soundtrack
Symphony no 1 -Gustav Mahler
Listener Supported – Dave Matthews Band
Anything and Everything by Neil Diamond
Symphony no 3 “Eroica” – L.V Beethoven
Brouwer Guitar Music – Jorge Oraison
Blue – Joni Mitchell
Street Legal – Bob Dylan

Happy listening – let me know whats on your “soundtrack” – I am always excited to discover music that is “new to me”.