Playing a Musical Instrument is a Stress Reliever

With a very stressful life that most of us are living, people are trying different ways to release their stress. For some, taking a vacation and going to places where they could unwind and spend time with friends or family is a good form of relaxation. Some people prefer to pause for a while, get cuddled up in one corner with a good book. Another way to relax the nerves is to run, walk or bike. Indulging in sports is also a very good outlet of releasing tension. Some prefer to visit friends and have a quiet chat, enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee.

A recent study shows that playing a musical instrument can reverse multiple components of human stress. The principal investigator of the study, Dr. Barry Bittman of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, PA says that "these findings shed light on the value of active music participation. Also, the study could extend understanding of individualized human biological stress responses".

The results of the study suggest that engagement in a calming expressive ability proves significantly effective than merely sitting down to relax, just like reading. When one plays the piano or guitar for instance, he is able to be involved in something pleasurable and enjoyable. Aside from the music the he creates, it is an activity that allows him to express himself. Perhaps, reading is relaxing because you are relatively not exerting any physical efforts, and at the same time simply allowing yourself to be engrossed in a good story or a very informative piece of writing. But to play an instrument is enjoyable because it gives the person the chance to use some skills and thereby creating music.

Dr. Muhammad A Sharaf of Applied Biosystems stated that the study proves that the DNA-based switches that turn on components of human stress could be turned off with the use of a unique combination of the latest genomic technologies. This means studying the hereditary information involving the DNA.

Other experts are elated that the study introduces a genomic framework to fully understand the complex biological impact and potential health benefits of playing a musical instrument.

This study also strengthens earlier studies that demonstrate positive health outcomes that one can get from listening to music. Other earlier studies have suggested that simply listening to music has a significant effect on a person. Although most focus on music's relaxing and calming effect, others claim that music has the ability to strengthen and weaken an emotion. Some would say that just by listening to a song makes them feel happy and all set for a day, while people who are attending a funeral would feel their sorrow more when a sad and touching song is played.

Other experts have done searched on the effect of music on memory and learning. According to the Center for Discoveries and Learning, learning potential can be increased up to five times by listening to music. With the use of the "60 beats per minute" system, a faculty member has proven that students were able to learn in only one day almost one-half of the vocabulary and phrases of a different language that was supposed to be learned in one whole school term. This involved about 1000 words and phrases.

Another study proved that students were able to do well in an IQ test after listening to Mozart's sonatas. The researches claimed that music could release neurons in the brain to help the body to relax.

These studies claim the effect of music just by simply listening to it. Therefore, the study about the effect of playing a musical instrument tries to convince that listening and at the same time engaging in an activity that would allow you to produce your own music could be more helpful in relieving stress. Take note, the participants in this study considered themselves "not musical", yet the experiment showed that their participation in the activity allowed their bodies to relax more compared to those who just sat and read.

Let's give it a try then. Learning to play an instrument may not only relax you. You could start a new hobby, and even discover that you have the talent and skill to produce good music after all. Just remember, don't let the lessons frustrate and cause you more stress. Simply enjoy it. It could actually let your mind off the bustles and hustles of everyday life.

Sources:
www.medicanewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=19535
http://www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html