Benefits Of Playing A Musical Instrument

Do you play a musical instrument?

If you don’t, maybe it’s time you started. After you see just how beneficial playing an instrument can be for you, you’ll probably want to.

Here are three benefits of playing a musical instrument.

Stress Reduction

There are no shortage of reasons to fret. And too much fretting will get your stress levels up. Thankfully, reducing your stress levels doesn’t have to be so difficult. Listening to music may be all it takes for you.

According to Jane Collingwood,

“Listening to music can have a tremendously relaxing effect on our minds and bodies, especially slow, quiet classical music. This type of music can have a beneficial effect on our physiological functions, slowing the pulse and heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing the levels of stress hormones.”

Collingwood also cites research showing that “listening to music can relieve depression and increase self-esteem ratings in elderly people.” And “making music can reduce burnout and improve mood among nursing students.”

Exercise

You can’t play an instrument without using your body and that means playing an instrument equals exercise.

“Whether you’re playing the piano, guitar, strings, or a wind instrument, you’re using your arm and back muscles to play and/or hold up your instrument. And if you play the drums, you even get to do some cardio!“

Brain Skills

A study found a connection between musical training and better executive functioning, which allows “people to quickly process and retain information, regulate their behaviors, make good choices, solve problems, plan and adjust to changing mental demands.” Also, playing a musical instrument has been shown to increase your memory and stimulate your brain.

It seems like playing a musical instrument is all good. While you may be able to get some of the same benefits by just listening to music, playing also gives you the opportunity to play just what you need exactly when you need it, the way you like it, not to mention the sense of satisfaction and unique benefits of physically engaging in the process of playing. And who’s talking about the social and recreational benefits that we place such an emphasis on here at Elmwood Hills Healthcare Center.

Do you play an instrument?

Please share in the comments below.