Benefits of Listening to Music
Listening to music can be beneficial mentally, physically, and spiritually. It can help with reducing anxiety and stress, lower blood pressure, heart rate, pain, and cortisol levels, improve sleep quality and quality of life, mental alertness, mood, motivation, cognitive performance, and memory, promote social interaction, physical exercise, and relieve boredom, and calm nervousness.
Another benefit of listening to music is that it has a positive correlation to the amount of time a person exercises. A study conducted in the UK studied the performance of three groups walking on a treadmill until they were tired. Group one listened to motivational music, group two listened to non-motivational music, and group three didn’t listen to any music. Researchers found that motivational music had a positive effect on exercising longer than the group with no music.
Exercise can become difficult for seniors as they age and music is one way that can not only motivate them but boost their mood as well.
Benefits of Playing an Instrument
Playing an instrument can trigger the creative side of the brain, boost one self-confidence and immune system, reduce stress, increase brain function, reading, motor (reaction time), and listening skills, memory, patience, perseverance, time management, and discipline.
Playing an instrument can also promote social interaction. Want to share with others, engage, connect, and express yourself with others.
Easy Musical Instruments for Seniors to Learn
Bells
Cymbals
Drums
Bongo Drums
Snare Drums
Djembe Drums
Bass Drum
Congas Drums
Gong
Harmonica
Maracas
Pan Flute
Piano
Recorder
Tambourine
Triangle
Xylophone
How Can Seniors Incorporate Music Into Their Daily Lives?
Cell Phone
Tablet
iPod
Laptop
Desktop
There are many apps available to download including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Soundcloud, Amazon Music, YouTube, Deezer, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, Napster, TuneIn, Spinrilla, etc.
These apps can all be downloaded on any of the above electronics.
Alexa
Hands-free option for seniors to easily play music. Alexa can be connected to various apps so you can play your music anytime.
When Should Seniors Listen to Music?
Anytime! Listen to music whenever you feel is appropriate.
Listen to Music While Doing a Task
Cleaning
Sitting on the front or back patio/porch
Gardening
Going for a walk
Exercising
Listen to Music to Relieve Stress
Sitting on the couch
Laying in bed
Before going to sleep
Meditation
With a group of friends
Listen to Music to Boost Your Mood
Family Gathering
Social Gathering
Game Night
Girls Night
Holiday
Celebration
Physical Exercise
Listen or Play Music to Promote Social Interaction
Church
Jazz Lounge
Restaurants
Concerts
Festivals
In a Nut Shell: Benefits of Music for Seniors
Motivation for seniors to exercise (walk, jog, dance, stretch, etc.)
Reduces anxiety or stress that seniors may have
Reduces blood pressure
Reduces heart rate
Reduces pain
Decreases boredom
Decreases recovery time
Increases the feeling of satisfaction
Improves health by enhancing mood
Improves quality of life for seniors
Improves quality of sleep, whether it is listening to music during the day or listening to it to fall asleep
Improves memory
Improves social interaction
Improves mental alertness
Improves immune function
Improves mobility and coordination
