Welcome to a jam-packed edition of The Geauga News Weekly Roundup! See a free concert by the Lake Effect Concert Band at Newbury High School. Every day in May, you can join the Lake County YMCA for a reduced new member fee! Take your family out canoeing or kayaking this weekend. Attend the Rock-A-Rama Gem and Mineral Show this Saturday and Sunday in North Olmsted. Do you love music? Read about five ways that music can benefit your life. Have a beautiful weekend!
Events on Thursday, May 17th, 2018
Events on Friday, May 18th, 2018
Events on Saturday, May 19th, 2018
Events on Sunday, May 20th, 2018
Five Benefits of Music (Part One)
Did you know that music can make you healthier? Along with showing off your excellent dance skills, music has many benefits for both your body and mind. From improving your sleep to making you a better athlete, your favorite tunes may help you more than you think. Here are five benefits of listening to music.
- Mental Health
Music is a strong contender against depression, stress and anxiety. Classical and meditative songs are recommended by doctors as an uplifting music for when you are having a tough day. Be careful, not all music helps mental health — heavy metal and techno music could worsen depression symptoms.
Additionally, your mood can improve by listening to music. Some studies show your brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that makes you happy, when you listen to music.
Music can also relax patients before and after surgery. Studies show patients awaiting heart surgery and patients recovering from surgery are more relaxed when they listen to music. And since four million people have heart surgery yearly in the United States, we think that’s pretty amazing!
- Physical Health
If you’ve ever felt healthier after listening to music, you know that music has many physical benefits. Music can actually diminish your perceived intensity of pain. Listening to music can also motivate you to eat less. Studies show that dimming the lights and playing slow music during a meal helped people slow down their eating and decreased the amount of food they ate.
The happy emotions you feel while you listen to music can also increase the blood flowing in your blood vessels. This means music may improve immune functions. You don’t even have to get up out of your chair to be healthier!
- Performance
Athletic hobbies, like biking or running, pair well with music. Some studies show athletes work harder, have better endurance and feel more motivation to exercise when they listen to invigorating, fast music. Music, no matter what genre, can also help people recover faster after a workout.
Music can also trigger biochemical stress reducers, which help ease stress and anxiety. This can help you relax and keep a rational mind in high-pressure situations. Remember to turn on your favorite songs before a big presentation or interview!
Want to know more ways music benefits your health? Check out the rest of our tips after Wednesday’s events!
Events on Monday, May 21st, 2018
Events on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018
Events on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018
Five Benefits of Music (Part Two)
- Sleep
Some rhythms can alter brainwave speed and induce a serene state of mind. This state is similar to the wave speed of a person’s brain when they are meditating or completely relaxed.
Research demonstrates that stimulating these effects can act as a type of therapy — it could ease migraines, PMS and even behavioral issues.
Classical music is an effective combatant to sleeplessness. Compared to expensive, riskier sleep medications, classical music is a healthy and safe alternative for the 30% of American adults suffering from insomnia. Try listening to classical music around 45 minutes before you go to bed. For a good night’s sleep, our favorites are Bach and Mozart.
- Cognition
When you’re in the middle of a mental exercise, background music could have a positive effect on your performance. There are many websites that offer a variety of calming white noises. Soundrown is one of our favorites.
Music lessons or classes can also increase IQs. Playing music may help children perform better in school or on standardized tests. Encourage musical interests in your children, like playing an instrument or singing, to help them to achieve academic excellence.
Long-term benefits of music include a better memory. Studies show some types of music can help you learn and remember certain pieces of information. This is due to the positive emotions that come with music and how they influence the way you form memories.
Music can also help maintain cognitive functions into old age. A study of healthy seniors discovered those with a decade of musical training earned better cognitive scores than those with less musical training. Non-musicians earned the lowest scores. It’s never too late to learn how to play an instrument. Pick up a guitar or an old piano at your local music shop today!
Music Makes Your Life Better
Music has far-reaching benefits that we’ve only just begun to appreciate. By listening to music, we help our minds and bodies more than we realize. Besides, music is cheap! So sit back, relax and shuffle through your favorite playlist — your health will improve, thanks to music.
What music do you like to listen to? How do you use music to enhance your everyday life? Write to drafts@geauganews.com and tell us your story!
Come Back Next Week for More Local Events in Geauga and Northeast Ohio!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s edition of The Geauga News Weekly Round Up! Be sure to check in next week for more local news and events in your area. Have a great weekend!
Have an event you want to see in next week’s edition? E-mail us your story: drafts@geauganews.com
