Tomoko has taught piano for 50 years, but you can’t tell by
looking at her. She is healthy and full of energy. Has the piano helped? “The
piano keeps me young. I have a bit of arthritis, but I play pieces that aren’t
as challenging for my fingers, and it keeps them limber.” Even the regimen of
daily piano practice keeps Tomoko focused and gives her a sense of well-being.
For centuries music has been known to improve people’s
quality of life. Music can both relax and energize you. It can help you unwind
at the end of the day, relieving – and escaping – life’s stresses.
These days there is even piano therapy, which can sometimes
be more impactful than clinical treatments. Listening to piano music lowers blood
pressure and cortisol levels, which can make you feel better and less stress.
Music can help you think more objectively and calmly. Low pitched and melodic
piano music can help overcome insomnia and facilitate calm comfortable sleep. Classical
piano music can also stimulate the body to produce natural painkillers and help
patients recover from surgeries. Listening to piano music can also reduce
children’s aggressive behavior, and has been used to treat patients with depression,
dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
And those health benefits
come from listening.
Think of the benefits of planning the piano. Learning how to
play the piano improves your memory and keeps your brain young. It helps for
hand-eye coordination plus enhances split concentration. Obviously, playing the
piano strengthens hand muscles and makes your arms stronger
Whether you listen to – or play – piano music, it helps you
through difficult times.
With the present COVID-19 situation, piano music can
maybe save your life.
