Play Music, Feed The Soul (with video)

“If music be the food of life, play on.” ~ Shakespeare

According to The NAMM Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission of advancing active participation in music-making across the lifespan, music has a positive effect on the social, emotional and physical well-being of individuals. The emerging scientific data about music’s relationship to brainpower and wellness is positively encouraging!

Music can be truly mind-altering:

1. Playing a musical instrument can reverse stress at the molecular level.
2. Making music can help reduce job burnout and improve your mood.
3. Playing music increases human growth hormones.

Music is fun and beneficial for children:

1. Music positively affects the development of cognitive skills in children.
2. Music builds confidence and self-discipline.
3. Playing music can increase productivity and help connect socially with peers.

Music is fun and beneficial for adults and seniors:

1. Playing music stimulates the brain and helps fight memory loss.
2. Music reduces stress and lowers blood pressure.
3. Playing music can ward off depression and loneliness.

3 things you many not know about the benefits of making music:

1. Music majors are the most likely group of college grads to be admitted to medical school.
2. Self-esteem is improved in the students who are given piano instruction.
3. The world’s top academic countries place a high value on music education. Hungary, Netherlands and Japan stand atop worldwide science achievement and have strong commitment to music education.

Possibly, even more remarkable than all those glowing accolades, is how music feeds creativity and the soul. Music is a new book by photographer and filmmaker, Andrew Zuckerman. In this highly entertaining trailer for the book (via SwissMiss), hear what musicians across the disciplines feel about making music:

For sources of the above data visit the NAMM Foundation.
Photo credit: Ben Fink

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

annie s.

5:13PM PDT on May 17, 2012

Music ---food for the soul.

send a green star

5:11PM PDT on May 17, 2012

Music can be food for the soul.

Danielle L.

11:39AM PST on Feb 19, 2012

I love playing classical guitar. It is such a release and so much fun. I'm so grateful that I was raised by a musician...

Eric E.

12:19PM PST on Nov 9, 2011

"Music majors are admitted to medical schools in high numbers" - I believe it, some of my best caregiver types have hummed, or talked about, music while they dealt with my health complaint of the moment, so this makes sense.

Charles B.

11:37PM PDT on May 16, 2011

I can't play music but I sure like to listen to it!
Thanks for your article.

Ioana B.

3:45AM PDT on Mar 20, 2011

thank you

Ria T.

11:17AM PST on Mar 12, 2011

Music rocks. LOL. Thanks.

Melissah C.

6:34AM PST on Mar 12, 2011

thanks