Stella Reddy's Story of Hope

I’ve always found it a bit challenging to put my thoughts into words when my emotions feel overwhelming. Sometimes, sharing how I feel isn’t easy, especially on those rough days when the noise inside my head drowns out everything else. Over time, I’ve discovered a faithful companion for these moments: music. You will find an eclectic collection of music on this site that I listen to all the time!

Music has been there for me during sleepless nights, stressful days, and those moments when it felt like no one else could understand. It’s a gentle hand reaching out, soothing the turbulence and reminding me that, somehow, I’m not alone. Just pressing play on a favourite song can instantly shift the heaviness in my chest. With each note, I feel a little less isolated.

How Music Supports Mental Health

Scientific research shows that music is deeply connected to our emotional well-being. Studies have found that listening to music can:

• Reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

• Lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body.

• Boost mood and inspire positive emotions.

• Provide an emotional outlet when words don’t come easily.

• Act as a healthy distraction, offering relief from negative thoughts.

Music therapy takes this a step further. With the help of trained therapists, people can use music—whether by listening, singing, or playing an instrument—to process their feelings, build coping strategies, and find ways to communicate when talking feels impossible.

For me, I don’t need to be talented or even sing out loud—just connecting with a melody or beat can be healing. I have an awesome set of headphones I wear (as I find music sounds better with headphones), and you will often find me singing to the top of my lungs along with the songs as I go about my day. If the TV isn’t on, the radio is, in our house. YouTube is awesome for playlists! 

Finding Comfort in Sound

There are days when I struggle with my mental health. On those days, music provides strategies that help me cope, such as:

• Creating playlists that match my feelings, whether I need calm or a burst of energy.

• Using music as “grounding”—focusing on the rhythm and lyrics helps keep me present.

• Letting songs tell stories I can relate to, reminding me I’m not alone in my struggles.

• Discovering that music, like healing, isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up, feeling, and letting go when I’m ready.

Just as trauma healing isn’t linear, the comfort that music brings can vary day by day. Sometimes, it’s an uplifting tune that lightens my mood. Other times, it’s a soft ballad that lets me grieve and process in my own way.

An Invitation

You don’t have to play an instrument or write songs to let music help you. Maybe all you need is the right song, at just the right moment—a melody that brings a little hope or gives you space to breathe. Music may not have all the answers, but it has a beautiful way of helping us carry the questions.

If you find yourself weighed down by your own battles, consider giving yourself a soundtrack. Let music remind you that, when words fail, a song can speak for you. And sometimes, that’s enough to make it through another day