Many of us believe that learning something new is only for the young. We’ve been conditioned to think that the older we get the less able we are to adapt, learn and grow. It’s drilled into us from being very young.
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks!”
Well, we think that’s rubbish. Balderdash. Nonsense.
Retirement can be the best time to learn new things. And, which activities are the best for us, as we age?
– Music, of course.
Here are 5 reasons why retirement is the perfect time for learning to play a musical instrument:
1. It’s the equivalent of taking your brain to the gym
For those of us who have tried it, we know that learning to play an instrument is hard work. It takes coordination, effort and dedication to make just small improvements. It is a complex task and studies have shown that the brain interprets learning to play music as a form of physical exercise. So, it’s like sending your brain for a workout at the gym.
2. It helps fight memory loss
Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia are on the rise. Every week it seems there is new advice on what steps to take to minimise the risk of developing dementia as we age. There have been numerous studies done to look at music and dementia. In Illinois, elderly care home residents, ranging from their late 70’s to early 90’s, were asked to learn a new musical instrument for 16 weeks. Their memory was tested before and after the 16 week trial and the results were astounding! Those who took part in the study saw a 50% – 70% increase in memory.
It is believed that learning to play an instrument provides the cognitive exercise the brain needs to protect itself against memory loss.
3. It fights wrinkles!
That’s right! Who needs botox and fillers when you can play music instead?
A study tracked eighty seniors over the course of five years. The results showed that the blood tests of those who were learning to play music had a 90% increase in hGH – a hormone which decreases as we age. Higher hGH levels increase energy while also causing fewer wrinkles.
4. It’s social
Loneliness is a pandemic spreading across our elderly communities. Playing music, learning an instrument or joining a choir or singing group not only means you meet new people and make new friends, but it can give you a renewed sense of purpose in your retirement.
5. It makes you happy!
Now, this one has to beat all the other hands down, doesn’t it? Life is a journey of highs, lows and lots of in-betweens. To have an activity that is scientifically proven to increase levels of happiness is possibly the best reason to do something.
So, what next?
So, music is very good for us. It stimulates hormones that keep our wrinkles at bay, it helps us meet people and makes friends and it is proven to make us happy. Surely we all need to be going more of it?
We have set time aside in our college throughout the afternoons specifically for those in our retired communities around Leeds. So, whether you have always fancied learning the guitar, trying your hand at the clarinet, or fancy setting up a singing or music group with a few friends, we have the tutors, the space and the expertise to help.
To initially have a chat about your ideas and what music tuition is currently available, please get in touch either by phone 0113 243 1605 or email: admin.ycmd@btconnect.com
Call 0113 243 1605 NOW