Photo by Natalie Rhea Riggs on Unsplash
Learning a musical instrument at any age can be a fun experience, but there are also many health benefits to it that people don’t often realize exist. Both your physical and mental health can improve by picking up an instrument as a hobby. If you’ve ever been curious about playing an instrument but weren’t convinced it was right for you, you could be surprised at the impact it can have on your life.
Music is a huge part of culture and history. It’s used for entertainment, but it’s also used as a form of expression and, in some cultures, identification. Beyond its obvious entertainment purposes, music has been explored heavily in the healthcare industry. Music therapy has even become a popular option for people with mental health needs or physical disabilities.
However, just listening to music and actually learning an instrument are two different things. Let’s take a look at several different ways learning an instrument can benefit different areas of your mind and body, whether you start as a child or you don’t begin picking up an instrument until you’re a senior.
Playing an Instrument Relieves Stress
Everyone experiences stress — it’s unavoidable. But too much stress in your day-to-day life can lead to problems like anxiety or depression. Being able to find ways to find effective ways to manage your stress is crucial for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Thankfully, there are small things you can do each day to relieve stress, including:
- Meditation
- Exercise
- Listing out your daily goals
- Making healthy food choices
Playing an instrument also helps to reduce stress. Listening to music has been shown to lower your blood pressure, but actually playing music goes one step further. If you’re stressed and you pick up an instrument to play something, you’re re-focusing your negative energy. It might start out as a way to distract yourself. But over time, you’ll be able to shift that focus into something productive and positive.
Practicing an instrument also helps to lower levels of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a stress hormone. The overproduction of cortisol in the body (caused by excess stress) can lead to things like weight gain, muscle weakness, and even impaired cognitive performance.
Smarter, Happier, and More Confident
Playing music helps to improve memory and cognitive performance. When you play an instrument, it forces you to focus on several things at once, stimulating both sides of your brain. From reading notes to playing different keys or strings, you must to concentrate on many different aspects of the instrument and how it sounds.
Learning to play an instrument relies on more science and math than most people think. Studies have shown that people (especially children) who are involved in music typically have higher standardized test scores and are often more skilled in mathematics.
Playing an instrument can actually make you feel happier in a variety of different ways. First, it’s a great way to connect with people. If you have social anxiety or struggle with loneliness, joining a music class or connecting with other people who play the same instrument can help. Because you’ll already have something in common, you’re likely to forge some deep friendships.
Learning a new instrument can also help to boost your self-confidence since it allows you to express yourself in a unique way. As you continue to practice and learn more, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in your achievements. Plus, let’s not forget: Learning an instrument is fun! It actively keeps you engaged and entertained all at once. It gives you something to look forward to.
What Are the Physical Benefits of Playing an Instrument?
There are a lot of mental health benefits to playing an instrument, but there are actually many ways playing is good for your body too. Depending on the type of instrument you choose, it can be great for your respiratory system. Brass and woodwind instruments require a lot of breath support, and you can learn different breathing techniques that can actually help to improve the way you breathe normally in your day-to-day life.
After you play an instrument for a while, you might start to notice some fatigue or even slight aches in your muscles, as though you’ve been exercising. That’s because playing an instrument is often a good form of exercise. Playing the guitar or drums, for example, takes a lot of upper body strength and stamina.
Instruments require more movement than most people think. If you’re playing for an extended period of time, you could be getting in a decent workout. That can be a huge plus for someone who isn’t able to do a lot of strenuous physical activity.
Playing a musical instrument can also help to boost your immune system. Research has shown that music helps to create more cells in the body that are designed to fight off harmful types of bacteria. This includes cells that are already affected and even cancerous cells.
Learning an Instrument at Any Age
Learning an instrument can be beneficial no matter when you start. If you’re a parent, take notice if your child has an interest in music. Unfortunately, there are still some social stigmas surrounding kids who choose to play instruments or join a band, etc. They might be worried they’ll get picked on or treated differently.
Sometimes, it’s the parents themselves who push these ideas onto their children. Instead, they encourage their children to play sports. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with enrolling your child in a sport, keep in mind that they can cause a lot of potential injuries, including brain injuries. It’s also important to make sure you’re not putting extra stress or pressure on your child if they’re not interested in sports.
Learning a musical instrument is a great way for kids to interact with their peers, learn something unique, stay safe, and branch out their creativity while boosting their self-esteem. It can even prove to be an asset in their future careers. Music-related extracurricular activities can be great assets to include on a resume or CV, as they can demonstrate sociability, ability to collaborate, and artistic flair.
Of course, you’re never too old to learn an instrument, either. The benefits of music don’t stop, no matter how old you are. In fact, music is exceptionally beneficial to seniors. For example, falling and mobility restrictions are often issues people face as they age. One study that monitored people 65 and older moving to music noted that seniors experienced better balance and had fewer falls after dancing with others. Music has also been used to help older individuals recovering from strokes.
No one is too young or too old to pick up an instrument. But it’s also important to choose the right instrument for you. Some are better for children just starting out, while others are good options for adults who might have more dedicated time to learn. Some can be learned quickly, while others might take a while to master.
The most important thing, though, is to choose an instrument that feels right to you — one that will be something you’ll enjoy. Knowing the health benefits that come along with it can make the experience of learning and playing even better.
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