THE BEAT GOES ON… THE HEALING POWERS OF MUSIC
Did you know music is more than just a good beat? Music helps with so much more. To start with it helps with mental health and even pain management. Music helps with producing more neurons, cognitive and motor skills, and neurogenesis.
When we grow up, why is it we stop following our favorite bands, stop buying music, and definitely stop blasting our favorite songs as we sing on the top of our lungs? Do you remember when you would hit repeat on that one song and listen to it over and over?
Born to Be Wild…
When I was 17, I bought my first car, a 1968 VW bug, and painted its bubble gum pink. I usually had to push it to the nearest gas station when it ran out of gas. It wasn’t the most reliable car, but I made sure it had a working stereo.
If my sister and I weren’t blasting Kashmir on the way to the beach, we were singing, Ops I Did It Again with my 6-year-old niece when we picked her up from school. Oh, we thought we were so cool!
My Heart Will Go On…
Did you know that the healing power of music has been recognized since ancient times?
The Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Service did a study showing the benefits of music and how it helps with ailments ranging from pain from cancer, depression, PTSD, reduces stress, and strengthens our immune systems.
As a child, I remember my mother always playing The Beatles or The Beach Boys. She would always say it helped her with her depression and gave her the energy to cook for all 9 of us! To this day The Beatles remind me of my mom in the kitchen singing and cooking.
Song Remains The Same…
Do you ever just listen to a song and it brings back up so many memories?? There is a reason for that.
It’s the brain’s ability to produce neurons, which plays a role in improving cognitive and motor skills, spatial-temporal learning, and neurogenesis.
Music was also used on patients with dementia, they saw major improvements even to the extent that the music aroused the person through its rhythms and memory-inducing effects. Those in the latter stages of the disease, who were unable to move, their eyes would light up when they heard their favorite songs.
These are some crazy huge benefits!
Satisfaction…
Unfortunately, as we age we tend to not listen to music as much. And at the same time go through a lot more mental and physical health issues more than ever.
So why are not listening to music when we need it the most?
Music not only lifts the spirits but it helps with pain management and depression. We might even find out one day, it may even cure cancer… How amazing would that be!?
Stairway To Heaven…
So, maybe it’s time to turn the music back on and sing… or just feel it again. Not only will it make us want to get up and dance, but it will keep our brains stronger, our bodies healthier and it just feels so freaking good! All while creating a new playlist of new memories.
What’s song makes you happy and even want to dance to? 🎸
