5 Ways Playing a Musical Instrument Changes Your Life
Around 68% of adults in the U.S. say they listen to music every day - not a surprising statistic. What I do find surprising, though, is that only 12% of adults play a musical instrument. Music holds the potential for far more impact than mere passive listening offers.
Do you play a musical instrument? That brief stint several years back or the lessons you took as a kid don't count. I want to know if you currently play an instrument. If not, would you like to learn or refresh your skills? Before you answer…..
Let me give you a few irresistible reasons to take up an instrument. If you already see an instrument in your future, sign up for my Play in a Day bootcamp.
Do you play a musical instrument? That brief stint several years back or the lessons you took as a kid don't count. I want to know if you currently play an instrument. If not, would you like to learn or refresh your skills? Before you answer…..
Let me give you a few irresistible reasons to take up an instrument. If you already see an instrument in your future, sign up for my Play in a Day bootcamp.
Benefits of Playing an Instrument as an Adult
Forget about instrument mastery or even performance-level skills. I'm talking about recreational music-making for personal enjoyment here. Picture yourself strumming a catchy rhythm on a ukulele or letting your fingers fly across the keys of a piano. Don't deny the excitement in that thought.
If the idea of playing an instrument felt good, imagine what the real thing feels like! Playing an instrument not only makes you happier, but it also makes you healthier. When you play an instrument, you walk away with five health benefits worth noting:
Though purely subjective, I must mention one more perk of learning to play an instrument. It comes with a sense of self-satisfaction. Shaping something beautiful with your own hands reflects who you are. It feels fulfilling regardless of whether you share your art with others or not.
Let's Play
If you feel a pull toward music-making for any of the reasons I mentioned above, go for it! When an excuse creeps between you and the music calling to you, ask yourself what you want more. Do you want to stay too busy, feel too old, let inexperience limit your choices, or ignore tangible ways to improve your life? Doubtful. Or do you want to create music you love and give yourself health and happiness along the way?
You know the better answer, so come play with me! I regularly host a live Play in a Day bootcamp that teaches you how to play an instrument in three hours. After the first hour, you receive a list of 100+ songs to play right away. By the third hour, you amass the skills to play 100% of the songs you love along with your favorite artist. Sign up for my Play in a Day bootcamp today!
Forget about instrument mastery or even performance-level skills. I'm talking about recreational music-making for personal enjoyment here. Picture yourself strumming a catchy rhythm on a ukulele or letting your fingers fly across the keys of a piano. Don't deny the excitement in that thought.
If the idea of playing an instrument felt good, imagine what the real thing feels like! Playing an instrument not only makes you happier, but it also makes you healthier. When you play an instrument, you walk away with five health benefits worth noting:
- Exercise for Your Brain
Playing an instrument grants you the rare ability to activate both sides, or hemispheres, of your brain at the same time. Bi-lateral brain activation enables flow, a state of consciousness marked by altered perceptions of time, intense focus, and peak productivity.
Hemispheric synchronization also teaches the different sides to communicate better with one another. This kind of brain exercise speeds up decision-making and problem-solving, lengthens attention span, and improves memory. - Stress Relief
Beyond providing an escape from the daily grind, playing an instrument inhibits the flow of stress hormones. You feel alert yet relaxed. All the while, your blood pressure and heart rate return to pre-stress levels. - Reduced Anxiety
Playing an instrument commands attention to the present moment. That, in part, explains its effectiveness in fighting anxiety. Based on time itself, music clashes with the future-forward thought patterns of anxiety. Put another way, the mindful aspect of making music leaves no room for worries. - Depression Suppression
Research attempts to unravel depression's mysteries reveal an increasingly complex chemical signature. Music affects these brain chemicals. Playing an instrument cranks up the release of serotonin and dopamine lacking during depressive episodes. At the same time, it suppresses cortisol, which tends to run amuck. Compared to conventional therapies alone, adding music-making shows promise in managing depression. - Resilience to Stress
Play an instrument, and you'll find yourself learning and practicing delayed gratification, frustration tolerance, flexibility in solving problems, emotional expression, and forward movement after mistakes. The same skills lend themselves to keeping you out of stress's reach.
Need more reasons to express yourself through creative outlets? Check out the article on picking your next creative hobby.
Though purely subjective, I must mention one more perk of learning to play an instrument. It comes with a sense of self-satisfaction. Shaping something beautiful with your own hands reflects who you are. It feels fulfilling regardless of whether you share your art with others or not.
Let's Play
If you feel a pull toward music-making for any of the reasons I mentioned above, go for it! When an excuse creeps between you and the music calling to you, ask yourself what you want more. Do you want to stay too busy, feel too old, let inexperience limit your choices, or ignore tangible ways to improve your life? Doubtful. Or do you want to create music you love and give yourself health and happiness along the way?
You know the better answer, so come play with me! I regularly host a live Play in a Day bootcamp that teaches you how to play an instrument in three hours. After the first hour, you receive a list of 100+ songs to play right away. By the third hour, you amass the skills to play 100% of the songs you love along with your favorite artist. Sign up for my Play in a Day bootcamp today!
