Why Music Lessons Are the Best Form of Self-Care for Kids, Teens, and Adults
- Kalyn Keen
- Jun 9
- 5 min read
Insights from the Studio: What Students Have Taught Keen School of Music About the Healing Power of Music
Over the years, one thing has become undeniably clear to those of us who teach music: the impact of music lessons extends far beyond the notes on the page. Time and again, students of all ages have shared how music has helped them navigate stress, develop emotional awareness, and carve out a meaningful space for themselves in the midst of busy or overwhelming lives.
Music lessons can be one of the most impactful forms of self-care.
Music offers an expressive outlet that supports mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. As someone who has worked in music education, I’ve seen firsthand how learning an instrument becomes a personal sanctuary for many students, and recent research confirms what teachers have long observed in their studios.
Emotional Wellness Through Expression
One of the most frequent reflections shared by students is how music gives them a way to process and express emotions they can’t always articulate. For many, lessons become a safe and structured space to “feel things out” without needing to explain themselves. Music gives shape to emotions that might otherwise go unspoken.
This is consistent with research published in Frontiers in Psychology, which found that music education can significantly improve emotional health, especially when students are encouraged to explore their own feelings through music-making (Frontiers in Psychology, 2022). For some, playing an instrument is a form of emotional release; for others, it’s a means of understanding and working through difficult inner experiences.
Supporting Cognitive Growth and Confidence Through Music Lessons
While music is often associated with creativity, its cognitive benefits are equally profound. Many families come to lessons initially hoping to improve focus or fine motor skills, and they’re often pleasantly surprised at the broader benefits they observe over time.
Younger students, in particular, develop greater coordination, patience, and attention to detail through consistent practice. For students with ADHD, anxiety, or developmental delays, learning an instrument can be an effective tool for building executive function and routine.
Multiple peer-reviewed studies, including one in Scientific Reports (Nature), affirm that music training is associated with improved cognitive abilities across the board- from working memory and language development to emotional regulation (Scientific Reports, 2024).
But perhaps one of the most meaningful shifts we see as educators is in students’ confidence. Learning to play a song, mastering a tricky rhythm, or performing for an audience, even a small one, builds self-assurance in ways that ripple into other areas of life.
Creating Space for Belonging and Identity
Music lessons often become more than just a class, they become a community. Many students share that their music studio feels like one of the few places where they don’t have to perform in the social sense of the word. They can simply be- whether that’s excited, discouraged, stressed, or silly.
This feeling of connection is one of the quiet but essential mental health benefits of music. In a world that often demands productivity, music gives students permission to slow down, connect with themselves, and feel part of something meaningful.
Research from Frontiers in Neuroscience points to music’s role in fostering social belonging, particularly for adolescents who are navigating identity and peer dynamics (Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2023).
In group lessons, ensemble rehearsals, and performances, students often form lasting friendships and learn to collaborate in ways that are deeply affirming.
Music Lessons as a Sustainable, Engaging Form of Self-Care
Music offers a reliable form of self care- There’s structure, growth, feedback, and creativity- all elements that help learners stay connected and motivated.
It’s also worth noting that for many adults, music lessons offer a rare opportunity to reclaim something for themselves. Whether it's a busy professional, a caregiver, or someone navigating personal hardship, the time spent with an instrument becomes a space where they are not responsible for anyone else’s needs. That in itself can be deeply restorative.
Studies like those in Frontiers in Psychology emphasize that structured music activities, particularly when personalized and responsive, can serve as powerful tools for long-term well-being and mental health support (Frontiers in Psychology, 2021).
Final Thoughts
Music lessons are not just a hobby. For many, they are a lifeline- a place to decompress, reconnect, and grow. They develop skills, certainly, but more than that, they support emotional health, create community, and foster a deeper relationship with oneself.
I speak of this on a personal level. When I was a teenager, I started music lessons. I went in with my acoustic guitar just wanting to understand how my favorite bands made their art. I discovered Metallica, Green Day, and other rock bands and I wanted to figure out HOW they created music. It started out as just regular music lessons, but soon it became my weekly therapy session. I would come into the music shop early to hang out with the employees, and during my lesson, half the time I would just talk through my week- all while working on my favorite songs. After I learned my guitar chords, I joined a band, where I made lasting friendships, and I learned how to work in a group. I remember being terrified at my first performance, but my peers and my music family helped me find the strength within myself to do my part. Throughout high school and college, music was my safe place. Music has been my ultimate form of therapy for the past decade, and I wouldn't be where I am now without that outlet.
Over ten years after my first music lesson, music is still my therapy, and now I get to share music with everyone that walks through the doors of Keen School of Music. I can be having a terrible start to a day, but coming to work is a real blessing for me- I get to connect with people on a daily basis and I get to know our clients on a deeper level. I love how music has connected me with not only a community, but I've been able to connect with myself as well.
-Kalyn Keen
Are you ready to start your self care session?
Keen School of Music proudly serves students in Gallatin, TN and nearby areas like Hendersonville, Portland, Hartsville, and Lebanon. Whether you’re looking for guitar, piano, voice, or violin lessons, our teachers work with children, teens, and adults to create a personalized music curriculum to fit your unique goals.
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Phone number: 615 682 4939
Email: keenschoolofmusic@gmail.com
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