Eurovision: a real well-being tonic

Yes it’s that time of year again: Eurovision Song Contest time.

Love it or loathe it, the Eurovision is here again this week; bringing together music loving individuals from across Europe for a huge well-being party.

Like Abba, where it’s not cool to acknowledge a fondness for the songs (even though most of us of a certain age know the words to each and every song, as we were brought up with our parents relentlessly playing their records), Eurovision is the annual music party that sometimes unwillingly unites us.

I personally am in the ‘love it’ camp and have been from as far back as I can remember. I can even recall one year being able to correctly guess the top three songs in correct sequence (clearly before the point scoring system became hijacked by political bias).

Eurovision is one of the few free, short-term well-being tonics that are available to everyone. It enables people from across Europe to be joined simultaneously by the beat of music. Usually it is the more powerful upbeat songs that give the competition its positive feel-good vibe – enabling people to forget about their worries and problems for a night (or three if you count the semi-final heats) and unwind in a way that only the power of music and dance can do.

It is a chance to bring patriotism to the country - uniting everyone with the hope that this year ‘might be our year’. However sadly (and I hope that I am wrong) I don’t think it will be, as I don’t think we have sent the strongest entry that we had to represent us.

But potentially most importantly it is an annual opportunity to bring friends, neighbours and families together for a night (or three) of singing, dancing, smiling, laughter and discussion/deliberation. A chance to fill the air with music – be it bouncing off the walls of the house, or reverberating round the candle lit garden (well what is the point of having a Sonos music system if you don’t use it… right?). An occasion to lift spirits, calm nerves, de-stress, and be allowed to just chill out, relax  and have fun for once.

Forget about the political ramifications behind the polling, forget about ‘in’ or ‘out’ referendum discussions for the night, and just enjoy it for what it is – an opportunity to let your hair down, have fun, and become centred again. Go on, you owe it to yourself.

See you at the party - come on UK! (the ever hopeful optimist...)