Music
Research has shown that older adults who regularly play piano have a significant impact on increased levels of Human Growth Hormone, which slows down the adverse effect of aging. Musical instruments in your life is also proven to reduce anxiety, heart and respiratory rates, cardiac complications to lower blood pressure and increase immune response.
Playing piano has also been shown to amazingly improve memory – particularly verbal memory -and build good habits like focus and perseverance diligence and creativity. Playing piano has been shown to increase spatial- temporal ability, which figures heavily in maths, science and engineering. Keep playing I say!
Studies show that time spent at the keyboard improves mental health: people who make music experience less anxiety, loneliness and depression. Playing piano has also been shown to be a great source of stress relief and provides ample opportunities to bolster self- esteem. Playing piano brings our family together and it strengthens our bonds. While my two granddaughters play to level five I play to level one Les Dawson!