The best way to keep your mind active is to learn a
new skill. When your mind is actively acquiring information, your brain builds
new connections between neurons. The synapses become stronger as you practice a
new activity.
Several years ago, I bought a ukulele and looked
up some chords on YouTube. It wasn’t long before I could strum a few tunes. I
started practicing with our family band and eventually played music with them
at nursing homes.
I often had to consult my chord chart when we
played new songs with chords I hadn’t yet learned. Later I began to sing with
the group and, at that time, our band was large enough that I only sang one or
two songs a month. Now that our band is smaller, we sing five or six songs each
time.
Singing is good for body and soul alike. Singing
releases endorphins, which lifts your spirits, but when you have lung problems
as my brother and I both do, it increases lung capacity and vocal cord health.
Learning melodies and lyrics are, you guessed it,
good for your brain. When you sing, you use multiple areas of your brain and
improve your memory. The expression “Sleep on it” is actually good advice.
During sleep, your new skills move from your short-term memory to long-term
memory. In between your snores, your brain is busy downloading data to your
brain’s more durable storage.
Singing in a group increases connection with
family or friends. Group activities also increase levels of a hormone,
oxytocin, associated with bonding. Being socially active is a recommended way
to improve cognitive health.
When you watch shows like American Idol or the Voice
the judges often mention that a contestant sings “from the heart.” Well,
singing from the heart is a good description because studies show that singing
has the same effect on your heart as light physical activity. The researcher
thinks that singing might eventually be incorporated into cardiac rehab.
Music has brought joy into my life. I try to
squeeze out time several days a week to play my ukulele. When I listen to the
radio or scroll on my phone watching music videos, I often hear a song I hadn’t
thought of in years. Sometimes, I download the lyrics and chords only to realize
I either can’t play the tune or sing the song. I’m not discouraged because
sometimes I come back to it months later and it clicks. Or, I might be able to
sing it, but not play it. When that happens, I might try karaoke. Sometimes, I
might be able to play it but not be able to sing it. During our practice sessions, my
brother can often find the correct key for my voice.
Due to health issues, we hadn’t played music at
the retirement homes since November of last year. When we played this month, we
heard, “We missed you,” and we missed them too. The reward for our family band was
the joy on the residents’ faces.
How great is it to do something I enjoy while I
exercise my heart and brain? Playing the ukulele and singing lifts my spirits and
chases away the blues. Some of my efforts are an epic fail, but it certainly
feels good when I learn to play or sing a song well. Either way, my dog always
listens attentively and never rolls her eyes when I make a mistake.
S. Fisher
http://earlyonset.blogspot.com
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