Music has always been known to enhance moods. It can help you to feel happy, sad, energetic or relaxed. A person’s body has its own rhythms: your heartbeat, breathing and speech are all examples of human rhythm. Therapists are now using music to help seniors manage pain and other symptoms. Different types of music are used for rehabilitation, chronic pain and Alzheimer’s disease. Music therapy has many benefits.
How does music benefit our health?
· Music therapy can calm anxiety and furthermore make people less nervous.
· The melodies and rhythms of different types of music can motivate us to move more.
· Playing or listening to music activates certain sections of the brain which affect emotions and communication. Singing and dancing can also do the same.
· Music therapy has been shown to help those with advanced dementia. For older seniors who are listening to music from their era it can promote communication and help them to stay in touch with their surroundings.
· Listening to music has helped stroke sufferers to regain their speech more quickly. It helps them to recognize words and communicate again.
· Classical music in particular has helped those with heart disease or those recovering from heart surgery. It has a calming effect which lowers stress levels.
· Since listening to music daily can have a positive effect on your thinking, negative thinking patterns can gradually change to positive thinking patterns.
Music tends to lift the spirits of those listening to it, especially if they are in a group.
- Singing songs and moving your body to music helps you to regain your health more quickly.
- For those who play instruments, playing improves their cognition and keeps their mind healthy.
- Caregivers have helped their patients and loved ones by playing melodies for them. To read more on music and its benefits, click here.
