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Music is good for your........... Health!
Hi, and welcome to the brand-new WebWorcester music section! As the weeks go by, I’m going to be chatting away about all aspects of music in general, and singing in particular. With such a huge range of things to write about, it was tricky knowing where to begin, but I’ve decided to kick off with a short series on how and why music is good for you in so many ways – starting with your physical health. Meanwhile, if there’s something music or singing-related that you’d like to know more about, please get in contact with me via email and I’ll see what I can rustle up! It could be anything from ‘Why do I get a sore throat when I sing?’ to ‘Where do I go to indulge my passion for playing the Tibetan Ear Flute?’ (That should be an interesting week)! We all know that music can make us feel good, and most of us have music interwoven into our everyday existences, whether it’s on the radio or TV, on our ipods (the sight of people walking along with white audio leads a-dangling is becoming increasingly common), or simply on the good old-fashioned stereo. Whether your bag is Mozart, Madonna or Motorhead, it seems that most of us simply can’t live without our music. Have you ever wondered why it’s such an important part of our lives? It seems that music appreciation is hardwired into our brains. It’s certainly not a modern-day phenomenon: Neanderthal Man had rudimentary instruments, and there is no known society on earth that doesn’t make music. In other words, making and listening to music is part of what makes us human. But did you know that it can also make you more healthy? It’s only been during the last century that any detailed research has been carried out into the direct healing effects of music, but the world’s great thinkers have always known that music is good for you! There are writings going back to Aristotle and Plato advocating the use of music to assist in recuperation from illness. In the 20th Century, music and wellbeing became an important subject for investigation following World Wars 1 and 2, after which volunteer musicians would travel round to hospitals and play for the veterans. The nurses noticed such an improvement in the recovery times and morale of the soldiers when they were exposed to music, that they started asking the hospital management to hire the musicians. I would hazard a guess that hospital radio grew out of this, as here in the U.K. we saw the first hospital radio facilities in the early 1920s, and then a boom in provision in the 1950s, after World War 2. Formalised Music Therapy was at first regarded by some as a bit ‘New Age’, and perhaps not to be taken terribly seriously, but its effects have been proven over and over again to be quite astonishing. Music Therapists use music in a huge variety of ways. For example, a person with injuries or a birth condition causing them to have difficulty in making rapid or co-ordinated movement might work with dance music: the fast, regular rhythms have a primal effect on the patient, causing them to want to move their bodies in time with the beat. This isn’t the same as dancing – it’s that same impulse that makes you want to tap your foot when a catchy tune comes on the radio. (Did you know that in many cultures around the world, the word for ‘singing’ and ‘dancing’ is the same)? Similarly, waltz music, with its flowing 1 - 2 - 3, 2 - 2 – 3 rhythm, can be used to encourage fluidity of movement in a person who has lost that skill, perhaps after suffering a stroke or similar trauma. These are just two examples of the amazing and effective work performed by music therapists.
The making of music in general - and singing in particular - is known to increase the production of endorphins. These are a natural morphine-like substance that inhibits pain
and induces a euphoric state. Singing also produces the other ‘feelgood’ chemicals, dopamine and serotonin. The playing of all music instruments releases immune-system boosters into the bloodstream. Let’s stop and think about that for a moment: the act of playing a musical instrument, or singing, strengthens your immune system! What’s more, it doesn’t matter to what standard you play or sing - it only matters that you engage in the activity. Think about the possible benefits: people who live with depression (for example) may well be able to alleviate some symptoms just by making music. Others with lowered or poor immunity can start to help their bodies fight back against recurrent infection by strumming a guitar or singing a favourite old song. As a person who got completely, life-alteringly floored by M.E. some nine years ago, I can certainly vouch for the important role that music played in my recovery from the acute phase. Asthma sufferers have long been sent to singing teachers to help them improve their lung function, and there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that snorers might be helped (and perhaps, in the long term, cured) by intensive singing lessons which are structured specifically to strengthen the soft palate. Singing is also known to improve posture, lower stress levels and boost self esteem. I once had a student who was going through a period of prolonged and enormous stress. Singing was her ‘me time’ and her stress-reliever. She used to take herself off for walks down by the river near her home and sing at the top of her voice – probably to the astonishment of the local wildlife! She always reported a feeling of increased wellbeing after doing this, and also after her lessons. In fact, students often turn up for lessons feeling a bit low, and then bounce out of the door feeling enthused and happy! This isn’t restricted to singing, of course, it’s just that vocals are my area of expertise. The same benefits will be felt after making music using any instrument. So, what are you waiting for? Book those music lessons now! (There are hundreds of music teachers in the Worcester area). Or teach yourself, using one of the huge number of instructional DVDs, books and CDs currently available. Or – here’s a thought - just pick up an instrument or start singing with no instruction whatsoever – it’s a completely free, natural high and they can’t arrest you for it! Or join a local choir, or go to a drumming workshop, or write some songs with a mate. Worcester is rich in musical opportunity. The possibilities are endless, and you will gain an enormous amount from the process. If you’re not sure where to begin, or where to find the right teacher or outlet, please feel free to email me on
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, and I will try to do my best to help you. Well, that’s me done for this time. Thanks for reading. I look forward to catching up with you next time, when I’ll be looking at ways in which music can help us profoundly on an emotional level. Meanwhile, take care!
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