There is a lot of research and evidence going on right now around the concept that mental stimulation can improve your mental well being. Visit any wellness site or pick up a magazine targeting people as we age and you’ll find all kinds of “games” and other exercises that can help your brain get stronger, thus improving your memory.

And that’s what we’re all after, right? From the very first time we have a “senior moment”, we start questioning our future paths. According to the Alzheimer’s Association:

• More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s
• Every 67 seconds someone in the US develops Alzheimer’s
• Alzheimer’s is the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States

Pretty scary statistics. And if you know someone who has Alzheimer’s, or feel your risk factor is above average, you’re probably spent even a little extra time worrying about your own future. Have you specifically tried something new, hoping it would improve your brain’s health?

While new games, exercising, even starting a new hobby can all help you keep your brain healthy, there is one activity that may have been on your bucket list for awhile that has long been studied for its brain boosting power: music.

Many neurologists have studied the impact playing an instrument has on the brain. When studies have looked at introducing children to the joys of making music, and have followed the study as they incorporate music into their lives, they’ve found the impact can have amazing effects:

• Listening skills are improved
• Language skills are improved, including reading ability, verbal fluency, memory, and second language acquisition
• Music training improves the ability to stay focused on means and goals and see things through to fruition

Kids that continue on with music into their teens and twenties have been found to:

• Be better at test taking
• Score higher on tests like SAT and ACT
• One of the top majors in college that move onto medical school is music

All of that adds up to motivating evidence showing the relationship between brain health and music.

If it can achieve those kinds of results in children and young adults, imagine what it can do for a person throughout their life.

Are you looking for activities to help keep your brain in top function? Playing the piano may be the perfect choice. From choosing the perfect piano, to selecting the right piano teacher, we’ve been helping customers all over Memphis for years put music into their lives. We would be happy to help you too; stop by or call today.