Want to live a healthier life? Start making music.

We all know about the health benefits of music. But if you want to take things to the max, you should start making music. From DJ Mag:

“Research collated by Music For All highlights numerous physical and mental health benefits to making and playing music.

“Released ahead Learn To Play Day 2019 – which takes place on the weekend of 23rd March and sees many outlets around the UK offering free music lessons to people of all ages – the charity has compiled research which all suggests that making music makes you healthier and happier.

“Results from a wide array of sources referenced in the paper suggest that learning an instrument as a child makes you more intelligent as an adult in relation to memory, verbal ability, spatial ability, processing speed, and attention.

“Other research also suggests that making and playing music lessens the deterioration of physical health in elderly people and reduce the need for certain types of medication. Playing piano, for instance, apparently exercises the heart just as much as a brisk walk.”

Read the whole thing here.