© finearts-music.unimelb.edu.au
Music fulfils a variety of functions today. It is used to communicate with and entertain audiences across the world. It is used as a means of social interaction, an instrument of instruction, artists use it to build inspiration for other works of art, and therapists use it to help heal people. Yet most people today would be hard pushed to identify music as anything other than something they listen to.
Music moves the body and the brain. Science Daily suggests that “Dancing can reverse the signs of ageing in the brain”. And, what do you dance to? Music.
One of the most effective strategies for slowing and reversing the brain ageing process is physical activity. This is because the brain constantly interacts with the body. In the past, research has shown that when people spent longer than 30 minutes engaged in regular physical activity, they experienced a significant decrease in their risk of developing dementia or senility. It also seems to be related to the overall brain health of those who engage in regular exercise.
© www.dancingforwellbeing.org
Physical exercise also seems to have a protective effect in preventing brain ageing and dementia, as well as helping treat those with dementia. There are a few potential reasons for this.
One reason is being active in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you know your quality of life is going to change. A diagnosis could lead to the potential for depression, anxiety, and poor judgement. But those who regularly engage in exercise or dancing throughout their lives have a better chance of maintaining good brain and body health.
Music can help your life in a variety of ways. But when you are diagnosed with a form of dementia, the Mayo Clinic says, “Research suggests that listening to or singing songs can provide emotional and behavioural benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia”.
It seems the memory of music never goes away, no matter what your age. This short video shows how music sparks the memory and can bring a person alive. Music Therapy and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Dance for Wellbeing, which can be done sitting down, is a growing and highly effective solution to help improve people’s lifestyle if they have Parkinson’s disease or another form of dementia. Australia is a world leader in Dance for Wellbeing. An initiative of Belconnen Arts Centre in Canberra, says that with Dance for Wellbeing “There is a growing body of medical evidence strongly validating the importance of exercise in the maintenance of our wellbeing – physically, cognitively and socially”. And as they also say, “dance ticks all those boxes in one fun package”.
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Music is a powerful weapon for fighting against stress and disease. Therapists regularly recommend listening to music to relax yourself and help eliminate the unhealthy issues associated with stress and anxiety.
The University of Nevada in Reno says that “Music can have a profound effect on both the emotions and the body”. Music will not just lower your stress levels and your heart rate; it can set a troubled mind at ease. I defy anyone to listen to this classically inspired piece of music and not begin to feel at ease. A Moment for Peace meditation.
There are so many forms and styles of music in the world today that it is not hard to find a piece of music that can help you deal with your emotions. Music can help you to accept your feelings. It is a potent weapon for dealing with self-esteem issues.
Music can turn that light on in your memory. It helps you to remember important facts about yourself and remind you of your past. Music can be a way to express your feelings and help you find your voice. And as every lover knows, music can help smooth your relationship. Romantic Pieces of Classical Music are better than wine, flowers and all the sweet talk in the world.
Music can heal you if you let it, and it reminds you of yourself. My mother used to tell me stories about the music she loved. 1940s Hollywood movies captured her. Her favourite actor was also a singer, Deanna Durbin. I sometimes heard her humming Durbin’s songs around our house. For my mother, her songs brought back her youth and I’m sure, her feelings of freedom and independence. My mother actually looked a lot like Deanna Durbin. Here is Deanna Durbin singing ‘Danny Boy’ for Charles Laughton from a 1946 movie titled Because of Him.
Music can heal you. It can be your friend when friends are in short supply or gone. Music that heals you, generally won’t affect your mind or body like some drugs can do. You don’t need a prescription for music, you just need to find the right type of music and it will help heal you.
