Playing a Musical Instrument is a Stress Reliever

With a very stressful life that most of us are living, people are trying different ways to release their stress. For some, taking a vacation and going to places where they could unwind and spend time with friends or family is a good form of relaxation. Some people prefer to pause for a while, get cuddled up in one corner with a good book. Another way to relax the nerves is to run, walk or bike. Indulging in sports is also a very good outlet of releasing tension. Some prefer to visit friends and have a quiet chat, enjoyed with a cup of hot coffee.

A recent study shows that playing a musical instrument can reverse multiple components of human stress. The principal investigator of the study, Dr. Barry Bittman of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Meadville, PA says that "these findings shed light on the value of active music participation. Also, the study could extend understanding of individualized human biological stress responses".

The results of the study suggest that engagement in a calming expressive ability proves significantly effective than merely sitting down to relax, just like reading. When one plays the piano or guitar for instance, he is able to be involved in something pleasurable and enjoyable. Aside from the music the he creates, it is an activity that allows him to express himself. Perhaps, reading is relaxing because you are relatively not exerting any physical efforts, and at the same time simply allowing yourself to be engrossed in a good story or a very informative piece of writing. But to play an instrument is enjoyable because it gives the person the chance to use some skills and thereby creating music.

Dr. Muhammad A Sharaf of Applied Biosystems stated that the study proves that the DNA-based switches that turn on components of human stress could be turned off with the use of a unique combination of the latest genomic technologies. This means studying the hereditary information involving the DNA.

Other experts are elated that the study introduces a genomic framework to fully understand the complex biological impact and potential health benefits of playing a musical instrument.