Celebrate the season with music
W hat better way to lift your spirits then with music. Listening to music can actually lead to better health and well-being at anytime of the year, but especially at Christmas. Music is often connected to memories. When we use the ‘recall muscle’ in our brains, it helps build up those important synapses.
Perhaps music was a large influence and part of your youth. Maybe you spent time listening or playing an instrument. Do you still? If not, there are ways to reintroduce aspects of music into your life and reap the health benefits. Specifically, the benefits of music are:
1) Relieves boredom. Instead of turning on the TV, how about listening to some music at home. This can be a welcome change. Silver Threads offers events that feature music, with two happening in December — both of them are affordable, and are geared for those who would like to get out of the house. 2) Gets you moving. Even small movements like tapping your foot or clapping your hands are enough activity to release pent-up mental and physical stress and bring you increased positive energy. For many seniors who are able, dancing to music is a wonderful way to exercise. Enjoying music can lower blood pressure and stimulate organs in the body. 3) Triggers memories. Music can trigger happy memories. A song can bring back a forgotten time and place. Silver Threads encourages you to explore these memories when they occur and enjoy the remembrance.
4) Increases positive thinking. Listening to music and using it as a stimulus can shift a negative thoughts to a positive pattern. Research shows that, as a daily therapy, listening to music can begin to form a more positive thinking cycle as well as improve cognitive function. 5) Eases anxiety. Do you remember soothing a baby by singing a lullaby? You can also soothe your own nerves with music. 6) Connects you with others. Music can be enjoyed in a group. At Silver Threads, there are several musical events in December designed to lift your spirits and promote a greater sense of well-being. You are invited to attend! silverthreads.ca