Discover the Rewards of Playing an Instrument

s we age, it can be difficult to find activities that are both enjoyable and beneficial to our well-being.

If you're looking for a new hobby that checks all the boxes, playing an instrument might be just the thing for you. Not only is it fun and challenging, but research shows that learning an instrument can also have positive effects on our cognitive abilities, hand-eye coordination, and overall mental and physical health.

Playing an instrument can help keep your mind sharp.

One of the most common reasons people start learning an instrument is to improve their focus and concentration. It’s no secret that music can help you do just that, but did you know that it can also help you think more creatively?

There’s a lot of research out there proving how playing music can improve your problem-solving skills. Studies suggest that this is due to something called “cognitive flexibility,” which means being able to process information quickly in different ways (not being stuck in one way of thinking). If you learn how to play an instrument, then new information becomes easier for your brain to access and process because it's been trained over time to work across multiple dimensions at once. This helps with everything from learning new skills and remembering facts about historical events—to developing better interpersonal communication skills when interacting with others!

It can also help with dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Learning a musical instrument can also help with dexterity and hand-eye coordination.

Playing an instrument requires fine motor skills, which is the ability to perform precise movements of the hands and fingers that require control and flexibility. Hand-eye coordination is important for many other activities, too: writing, drawing, playing sports, cooking and more! With practice, you can improve your hand-eye coordination by learning how to play a new instrument or by practicing with one that’s already familiar to you.

So, what's the best instrument for you?

You should pick an instrument that is easy to learn and fun to play. You want to make sure that you enjoy it, so it's important to find something that fits your personality and interests.

To help you with this, here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Do I like performing? If so, then perhaps drums or a wind instrument would be good choices for you—they have a lot of opportunities for solos.
• How long do I plan on playing? You want something with longevity so that even if life changes, then there's still value out of what was once purchased at retail price (and hopefully much less). Or if not much time exists in your schedule, then an instrument that can easily be stored away when not being played may be best—one such example would be saxophones (which are also fairly easy-to-learn).
• What kind of music do I listen to most often? When choosing an instrument based on what type of music interests us the most, keep in mind our personal tastes may change over time. Therefore if we choose one now but later discover another genre more appealing than the original choice...it doesn't mean there was anything wrong with either option!

Music is an incredible force that has the power to bring people together—both for those who make it and those who listen.

No matter which instrument you choose, it’s a great way to improve your physical and mental health while also enjoying the social benefits of making music. Hopefully, we’ve helped you find your perfect match, but if not, there are lots of resources out there to help you along your musical journey. Best of luck!

Learn More:

• Apps to Learn and Play Piano
• Coping with Stress Using Music & Movement
• Top Music Streaming Services to Create the Best Playlists
• Nostalgic Music That Brings Back the Good Times
• The Powerful Effects of Music on the Brain