A few days ago I realised I hadn’t listened to any music at all in almost 3 weeks. As a former professional musician this behaviour is pretty much unheard of for me, that’s when the reality hit me of how ill I’ve been recently.

I have had plenty of colitis flare ups before, but the severity this time really took me by surprise. The brain fog and confusion are the worst symptoms. I was forgetting everything... washing up left in the sink (but I can’t remember cooking), being unsure whether I’d eaten yet today or what time I got up, items in the flat seem to have moved themselves despite the fact I live on my own.

However things changed when I switched on YouTube and it’s algorithms immediately start suggesting things I might want to watch, the main videos being some of my favourite songs. After 30 minutes of Maneskin, Dadi Freyr, Hanson and Andre Rieu I managed to eat my first full meal in weeks.

I may not be a professional musician anymore, but the effect of music on the mind body and soul never ceases to amaze me. I hope you all have music that you can turn to make yourself feel better, be it for mental health, physical health or both. 

The Portsmouth Rose

A Moodscope member.