NEW YORK — As a percussionist, Samer Ghadry has always been drawn to different sounds.

"I started learning both because I was interested in how to do this work, but because also on a deeper level I knew I wanted to experience it,” Ghadry said.

On this day, he used sounds to help others relax. Ghadry practices this treatment, known as a sound bath, at GOOD MOVE in Williamsburg.

What You Need To Know

  • Americans anxiety about COVID-19 is at its highest since January, according to an Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research Poll

  • Samer Ghadry teaches a sound bath class to help people relax

  • "We're using a variety of overtoning instruments to create a sort of soundscape that allows anyone to easily detach from their everyday sort of thinking mind and tap more into their body and to experience deep relaxation,” Ghadry said.

  • Dr. Jessica Stern recommends people get therapy, exercise, take up a new hobby or meditate

"We're using a variety of overtoning instruments to create a sort of soundscape that allows anyone to easily detach from their everyday sort of thinking mind and tap more into their body and to experience deep relaxation,” Ghadry said.

"What I find it does is it is like a meditation teacher or a meditation assistant in the sense where you don't have to show up and say now I won't think,” Ghadry said. “All you actually need to do is the first step,  just show up and let the sound guide the mind."

He showed us his instruments.

"Gongs are very grounding,” Ghadry said. “They have so many overtones coming out of them they are also very low which can be very relaxing."

You may not have access to a sound bath class like this but experts say there are several ways to prioritize your mental health.

Dr. Jessica Stern a clinical psychiatrist from NYU Langone Health says it’s important for people to be proactive and take the time to address their mental health with the rise of the delta variant.

"At a time like now where so much is constantly changing, and it feels like two steps forward and one step back etc. it can feel a little bit like whiplash. What is going to happen in the future? What's happening with schools, work and back to office? So much confusion,”  Dr. Jessica Stern, Clinical Psychiatrist from Cohen Military Family Center at NYU Langone Health said.   That can naturally lead to increases in anxiety, sadness or loneliness."

Dr. Stern has suggestions for coping including, getting therapy, exercising, taking up a new hobby and meditating.

Claire Gibbs, who is in the sound bath class, says the soothing sounds are working for her.

"Very stressful job,” Gibbs said as she laughs  “And this is just very peaceful and it gets your mind off of everything going on in the world, your job."