Written by: Lin Chiang
Artwork by: June Jeong
As people undergo a hectic lifestyle, even maintaining a balanced social and academic life may be challenging. However, it is pivotal to obtain a time of peace and tranquility in order to manage your mental health. Instead of practicing rather tedious activities, such as meditating or reading a book, the more enjoyable alternative would be to learn and practice an instrument.
As a child growing up, you probably heard of an adult mention how advantageous it is to learn an instrument, either to appeal better in your college applications or even to pursue different fields interests for future career opportunities. Although these are true, the favorable health benefits are often overlooked and overshadowed by the surfacing merit points.
“Music can satisfy the need to unwind from the worries of life, but unlike the other things people often use for this purpose, such as excessive eating, drinking, or TV or aimless web browsing, it makes people more alive and connected with one another,” said a music psychologist Michael Jolkovski. Research shows that music, especially slow-paced and calming music, has the ability to reduce levels of stress hormones and blood pressure. Although listening to music helps people unwind and relieve stress, significantly more merits are brought from playing an actual instrument. “There’s no feeling like playing a difficult song and playing it flawlessly. (It is) quite an ego-boost,” said pianist Emily Singers. Mastering a music piece, especially a rather difficult piece, takes time and diligence, which is why it brings a sense of accomplishment, in addition to the boost of livelihood. Furthermore, playing an instrument enhances your confidence, as you can learn to express yourself, and possibly play in bigger groups of audience. This can also lead to a greater extent in your social life, as it can facilitate making important connections with different people who have the same interests.
Finding the perfect instrument for you may take time and effort. However, once you find your perfect instrument, health benefits will await you. According to Brenda Hanna-Pladdy, a neurologist at the Emory University School of Medicine, “Since studying an instrument requires years of practice and learning, it may create alternate connections in the brain that could compensate for cognitive declines as we get older.” A recent study of participants from ages 60 to 83, all performed a neuropsychological assessment, which tested a variety of their functions, including their verbal and attention abilities, and the results showed that participants who played an instrument for the longest time, had the highest test scores, and the nonmusicians generally had the lowest test scores. Overall, playing a musical instrument not only enhances your mental health but also brings future health advantages.
Works Cited
Cicetti, Fred. “Is Playing a Musical Instrument Good for Your Health?” LiveScience, Purch, 22
Music, Sono. “5 Reasons Why You Should Learn a Musical Instrument.” Music Lessons Brisbane, 5 June 2019, sonomusic.com.au/5-reasons-why-you-should-learn-a-musical-instrument/#:~:text=Learning a musical instrument not,aspects of the human body.&text=It's been widely studied and,also muscle memory as well.
Pappas, Stephanie. “Childhood Music Lessons Keep Aging Brain in Tune.” LiveScience, Purch, 20 Apr. 2011, www.livescience.com/13812-childhood-music-lessons-boost-aging-brain.html.
Roberts, Maddy Shaw. “10 Reasons You Should Take up a Musical Instrument.” Classic FM, 5 Jan. 2018, www.classicfm.com/discover-music/reasons-to-play-a-musical-instrument/.
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