Hands down, this is my favorite way to boost brain power!! I have always loved to sing, and my earliest memories of singing date back to kindergarten when I sang in a church choir in Corvallis, Oregon. I have sung in numerous school, church, college, community and professional choirs over the years and have loved every single one of them. There's just nothing like the human voice for making fantastic music. So, day 4 of my 7 days to better brain power with music is, of course, . . .
4. Sing!
Singing is good for you! No wonder we like to sing in the shower or in the car with the radio on. It makes us feel good, and may help us live longer.
Here are just a few benefits of singing: improved immune function, deeper breathing (which has a calming effect), improved muscle tone in the intercostals and diaphragm, reduced muscle tension and improved posture. Singing can also clear your sinus cavities, reduce the amount of stress hormones in your bloodstream, and generally help make you healthier and happier! So sing “as if no one is listening” and begin reaping the benefits! Who cares if you don’t sound like Pavarotti? Just sing! Come on, let’s hear it -- La, la, la, la . . .
Music has been used as a healing medium since very ancient times. References to the therapeutical use of music can be found in Biblical Scriptures - most notably David playing music to soothe King Saul - and in various historical writings from India, China, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Native Americans too believed in the efficacy of music in healing both the body and the soul, and made it an integral part of their healing rituals. music therapy
ReplyDeleteYes, the David and Saul story is one I use frequently when presenting about the history of music therapy. Every culture from every time period on every continent, as far as we can tell, had some music. Flutes carved from bones have been found that go back thousands of years! I believe there were some found in the caves in France where the cave paintings date 32,000 years old. Music is certainly one of humanity's most basic and important components. Thanks so much for your great comment!
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