Self-Care Sunday: Music

Hello, we’re back! Hope everyone had a good holiday.

This Sunday at SACS I want to recognize the amazing healing powers of music, share a few of my favorite songs, and post some free resources.

For many survivors, music is a way of coping — an escape from reality, a way to calm down, or a way to express anger at the situation you’re in. The internet opens up thousands of ways to listen to music for free with just your laptop. Making music as well as listening can be a wonderful release of emotions.

Listening to certain kinds of music has been proven to help reduce stress. This is because it does things like lower your blood pressure and give you something to focus on besides your thoughts. Music can encourage your imagination, help you meditate, help regulate your breathing, and allow you an escape. Plus, it’s simply enjoyable to listen to music that you like. Learn more about the relaxing power of music here.

One of my favorite online resources for finding music is 8tracks.com. What’s great about 8tracks is that you don’t need an account to listen, and you can easily find playlists for just about anything. Case in point: here is a mix for after panic attacks, here is a mix of classical music to sleep to, and here is a mix of revolution songs.

YouTube is also a great place to find relaxing playlists, as long as you can handle the advertisements every so often. Here is one video with two hours of relaxing music. For a 15-second ad, it’s a pretty good deal.

Sometimes, finding songs specifically about sexual assault and rape can be comforting in that it helps you know you are not alone. Sometimes it can be triggering, too. If you decide to look for songs like that, please be careful. Here is a list on Pandys.org of songs that survivors have all submitted as being helpful to them. Notice that along with each song name and artist, it also states how likely the song is to trigger someone (yes, no, maybe).

Finally, I’m posting links to YouTube videos of some of my favorite songs for survivors.  (Laugh all you want at my music taste.)

Survivor Songs
Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
Fighter by Christina Aguilera
Brave by Sara Bareilles

Comforting Songs
Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift (from The Hunger Games soundtrack)
Lullabye for a Stormy Night by Vienna Teng
Let It Go by Idina Menzel (from the Frozen soundtrack)
Simple by k.d. lang

Grieving Songs
10,000 Miles by Mary Chapin Carpenter
Breakable by Ingrid Michaelson
The Girl With The Weight Of the World in Her Hands by the Indigo Girls

The IUSACS Last Minute Gift Guide!

Are you realizing that you forgot a present for someone in your life? Don’t worry, SACS is here to help. We’ve gathered a list of beautiful gifts that are fun to give and receive and support survivors of sexual assault — what could be better? Here are our top picks for your holiday shopping.

 

Hope. Courage. Strength. Tote Bag from RAINN. $25

This sturdy tote bag will help your loved one tote his or her books around campus, pick up groceries, or carry a change of clothes and a toothbrush for an overnight trip — all while spreading an important message. All proceeds to RAINN. Click here to purchase.

The INCASA Cookbook. $15

The Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault published a cookbook this year. This makes a great gift for a friend who is living off-campus and learning to cook, or anyone who enjoys food! Proceeds support INCASA’s work in the state of Indiana. Purchase & learn more about INCASA here. 

NO MORE Water Bottle. $26.95

 

This sleek, reusable water bottle accomplishes two missions: reducing plastic bottle waste and spreading the word about the national organization NO MORE, a group that aims to unify those working to end domestic violence and sexual assault. The group also has magnets, t-shirts, pins, and other products to fit any budget. Go shop here.

Declaration Necklaces from RAINN. Individual $8.50 or pack of 4 for $27.70.

 

These strong, simple necklaces come in four messages: STRONG, HOPE, COURAGE, & STRENGTH. Choose one or a whole set for the strong survivor in your life. Proceeds to RAINN. Shop here.

Tiny Pine Press Gratitude Cards from the Joyful Heart Foundation. Set of 6 for $24.

 

A practical gift this time of year. These sweet cards feature the word “Gratitute” and a single Swarovski crystal on the front and the mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation on the back. The Joyful Heart Foundation is an organization that aims to heal, empower, and educate survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. It was started by actress Mariska Hargitay who plays Detective Olivia Benson on the popular television show Law & Order SVU. 100% of the proceeds of this card go to Joyful Heart. Purchase here.

Finally, no matter what you buy, if it can be bought through Amazon.com, Ebay.com, or a whole host of major online retailers, it can be purchased in such a way that a small portion of the proceeds go to RAINN. You can click links to those websites or download an app that will automatically route you through their system at this link.

Thanks so much for shopping to support these important groups, and from all of us at SACS, have a wonderful winter break and a safe and happy holiday!

Not Ever by Rape Crisis Scotland

Just wanted to share one of my favorite public service announcement videos ever. It is 100% on point.

Nobody asks to be raped.

TBTN 2013

(Click on the photo to link to the IDS coverage of this year’s Take Back the Night march)