BILLINGS - It has been said that music is good for your soul, but experts now say it may do more good than that. It can actually lower stress and exercise your brain. Music is becoming a popular form of therapy to help cancer patients, ease pain and ward off depression. But using music can also increase your over-all physical health.
While many of us pick up instruments as children we often stop playing once out of school. However research suggests there are good reasons to continue being musical as an adult. "Making music, not just listening, but actively making music relieve stress, lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune systems." says Autumn Keller, the music director for St. John's. The ladies in Keller's music class at Mission Ridge Retirement Home say they can feel the benefits each week. Marjorie Zeedyk, a student in Keller's class, says "I think it lifts my spirits when I'm really down."
And experts say it doesn't matter if you've been musical your whole life or if you have never played or sang before. It's not your skill level or age that counts. Joyce Syverson is also a student and resident at Mission Ridge, she says it's a great way to reduce stress. "We laugh, we chuckle. we play wrong notes and some right notes. It does so much for our souls."
In the class they encounter many aspects of music in the class; from drumming and singing to learning to read music. "Neuro-science is showing us that when you are making music your whole brain lights up and there are very few things that we do that involve the whole brain." says Keller. And Keller also suggests getting involved in a musical group because it is more useful to your health than simply singing alone in the shower. The social interaction combined with the musical elements mean extra benefits.
Music therapy experts say no particular type of music is more beneficial than another.