Music will change your child’s life

If you enjoy listening to music, you’re in
good company.
Charles Darwin once
remarked, “If I had my life to live over again,
I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at
least once every week.” Albert Einstein declared, “If I were not a physicist, I
would probably be a musician.” Jimi Hendrix called music his “religion.”
Recent research shows that listening to music improves our mental well-being and
boosts our physical health in amazing ways. If we learn to play a musical instrument,
that musical training can help raise our IQs and even keep us sharp in old age. Here
are 15 scientifically-proven benefits of music.
1. Music Makes You Happier
“I don’t sing because I’m happy; I’m happy because I sing.” – William James
Research has proven that when you listen to music you like, your brain releases
dopamine, a “feel-good” neurotransmitter which causes emotions like happiness,
excitement, and joy. So the next time you need an emotional boost, listen to your
favourite tunes for 15 minutes. That’s all it takes to get a natural high!
2. Music Enhances Running Performance
“If people take anything from my music, it should be motivation to know that anything
is possible as long as you keep working at it and don’t back down.” – Eminem
It has been found that runners who listened to fast or slow motivational
music completed the first 800 meters of their run faster than runners who listened to
calm music or ran without music. If you want to take your running up a notch, listen
to songs that inspire you.
3. Music Lowers Stress and Improves Health
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s
something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from.” – Billy Joel
Listening to music you enjoy decreases levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your
body, which counteracts the effects of chronic stress. This is an important finding
since stress causes 60% of all our illnesses and disease. One study showed that if
people actively participated in making music by playing various percussion
instruments and singing, their immune system was boosted even more than if
they passively listened. To stay calm and healthy during a stressful day, turn on
the radio or play a musical instrument.
4. Music Helps You Sleep Better
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” – Berthold Auerbach
Many people suffer from insomnia. A study showed that students who listened
to relaxing classical music for 45 minutes before turning in slept significantly better
than students who listened to an audiobook or did nothing different from their normal
routine. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try listening to a little Bach or Mozart before
bedtime.
5. Music Reduces Depression
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my
back to loneliness.” – Maya Angelou
More than 350 million people suffer from depression around the world. The sleep
research above found that symptoms of depression decreased significantly in the
group that listened to classical music before bedtime. Another study also
demonstrated that music can benefit patients with depressive symptoms,
depending on the type of music. Meditative sounds and classical music lifted people
up, but techno and heavy metal brought people down even more. The next time you
feel low, put on some classical or meditative music to lift your spirits.
Parys is very fortunate to have Anina de Villiers and Erna Rademan in their midst:
they are both qualified (university) music teachers who teach a variety of musical
instruments. They are contractors for Gaudium Artes. Call them if you want to
empower yourself or your child with the gift of music. (All research was sourced from the World Wide Web) For more information phone Anina on 071 680 7563 or Erna on 082 565 1085