Music and memory go hand in hand. Music has long been known to bring people back to specific times in their lives. This is why music is used to help people with Dementia, Alzheimer’s and general memory loss.
Here are some ways music can help your memory:
- Learning
Music is a great learning tool, that’s why children learn through song and why high school/college students are encouraged to listen to classical music while they do homework. There have been many studies conducted that show that music helps you concentrate. How? Well, when you hear a steady beat your heart rate and pulse relax, which puts you in a relaxed but alert state.
- Preventing memory loss
Learning a new instrument is a great way to keep the brain active. If you know an instrument, learn new songs. For the elderly, pianos are a great choice because they are easy to physically play.
- Enhancing memory improvement
Listening to music does not require cognitive or mental processing, that it why it is often used to help Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients. Some research has shown that patients who had 30 minutes of music therapy, versus talk therapy, show improvements in cognition.
A great thing to do this holiday season is listening to music with your elderly loved ones. Listen to their favorite music from their childhood or family events and look at corresponding photographs. Not only will it be a great memory exercise, it will be a fun way to bring the whole family closer together.