Audio Processing as a Practice

Audio processing is a form of expression which focuses on one’s emotions and experiences rather than creating structure ^* and can help the meaning-making process while providing several other benefits, such as decreasing depressive symptoms,^* improving happiness,^* and even reducing signs of illness. ^* Anyone in a patient’s community can do audio processing. Having a group of people intentionally focusing on it as a form of meaning-making helps result in a shared meaning, which becomes a unique central point of connection for the community (see the “Collective Soul” section). Particularly at the end of life, audio processing is an impactful, accessible method of meaning-making which can involve as many people as would like to participate.

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Patients

Use a recording device, such as an app on your phone, to record yourself while you speak freely in response to the following prompts or based on where your thoughts lead you.

Identify your values and talk about them. Think about where your values came from, where they have taken you, and how they influence your thoughts and actions now.
Talk about your relationships with people, whether your family, friends, healthcare providers, acquaintances, or complete strangers.
Talk about your story of loss, from either first or third person. This loss can be about anything, but it may be particularly helpful to focus on your end of life. You can also write in the third person for any other topic, though it has been especially helpful when writing of loss.
Think of the things you are grateful for and talk about them consistently. Forming a habit of writing about gratitude has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms, ^* increase happiness, ^* and even reduce symptoms of illness. ^* Even without making this a habit, gratitude helps us form meaningful attachments to what is good in our lives.
Think of the things you are not grateful for--pain, stress, despair, conflict, and so on.
Talk as much as you can about anything. The topic does not matter, so as long as you begin talking. Let your initial thoughts carry you to new places and explore those new places without feeling a need to structure your thoughts.

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Caregivers

Use a recording device, such as an app on your phone, to record yourself while you speak freely in response to the following prompts or based on where your thoughts lead you.

Identify your values and talk about them. Think about where your values came from, where they have taken you, and how they influence your thoughts and actions now.
Talk about your relationships with people, whether your family, friends, healthcare providers, acquaintances, or complete strangers.
Talk about your story of loss, from either first or third person. This loss can be about anything, but it may be particularly helpful to focus on your end of life. You can also write in the third person for any other topic, though it has been especially helpful when writing of loss.
Think of the things you are grateful for and talk about them consistently. Forming a habit of writing about gratitude has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms, ^* increase happiness, ^* and even reduce symptoms of illness. ^* Even without making this a habit, gratitude helps us form meaningful attachments to what is good in our lives.
Think of the things you are not grateful for--pain, stress, despair, conflict, and so on.
Talk as much as you can about anything. The topic does not matter, so as long as you begin talking. Let your initial thoughts carry you to new places and explore those new places without feeling a need to structure your thoughts.

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Community

Use a recording device, such as an app on your phone, to record yourself while you speak freely in response to the following prompts or based on where your thoughts lead you.

Identify your values and talk about them. Think about where your values came from, where they have taken you, and how they influence your thoughts and actions now.
Talk about your relationships with people, whether your family, friends, healthcare providers, acquaintances, or complete strangers.
Talk about your story of loss, from either first or third person. This loss can be about anything, but it may be particularly helpful to focus on your end of life. You can also write in the third person for any other topic, though it has been especially helpful when writing of loss.
Think of the things you are grateful for and talk about them consistently. Forming a habit of writing about gratitude has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms, ^* increase happiness, ^* and even reduce symptoms of illness. ^* Even without making this a habit, gratitude helps us form meaningful attachments to what is good in our lives.
Think of the things you are not grateful for--pain, stress, despair, conflict, and so on.
Talk as much as you can about anything. The topic does not matter, so as long as you begin talking. Let your initial thoughts carry you to new places and explore those new places without feeling a need to structure your thoughts.

^{Return to Navigation Panel}

Healthcare Team

Use a recording device, such as an app on your phone, to record yourself while you speak freely in response to the following prompts or based on where your thoughts lead you.

Identify your values and talk about them. Think about where your values came from, where they have taken you, and how they influence your thoughts and actions now.
Talk about your relationships with people, whether your family, friends, healthcare providers, acquaintances, or complete strangers.
Talk about your story of loss, from either first or third person. This loss can be about anything, but it may be particularly helpful to focus on your end of life. You can also write in the third person for any other topic, though it has been especially helpful when writing of loss.
Think of the things you are grateful for and talk about them consistently. Forming a habit of writing about gratitude has been shown to decrease depressive symptoms, ^* increase happiness, ^* and even reduce symptoms of illness. ^* Even without making this a habit, gratitude helps us form meaningful attachments to what is good in our lives.
Think of the things you are not grateful for--pain, stress, despair, conflict, and so on.
Talk as much as you can about anything. The topic does not matter, so as long as you begin talking. Let your initial thoughts carry you to new places and explore those new places without feeling a need to structure your thoughts.

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Collective Soul

With each member of the “collective soul” embarking upon the meaning-making process through the practice of audio processing, you can build a common language which allows more connection and openness throughout this process. With every person contributing their own unique meaning to the conversation, you as a group can achieve a “shared meaning” that everyone can connect to and through.

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