No wonder Willie Nelson and Keith Richards seem to be living forever.
A new study shows that as you get older, music can help your brain stay younger.
Well, scientists working on PROTECT, an online study open to people aged 40 and over, reviewed data from more than a thousand adults to see the effect of playing a musical instrument or singing on brain health, and what they found was that, apart from any benefits it has for emotional wellbeing, it actually improved the memory and cognitive speed of the 40-and-ups.
Millennials when they realize age 40 is included on a study of old people:
But that's okay, because music is good for the soul, and it's good for the brain too!
The study further showed that, in addition to singing and playing music in general, playing piano was actually the most helpful for the brain as people age. Pianists have better memory and a greater ability to solve complex problems.
And while piano playing seems to be the most helpful, the study shows just singing, especially in a choir or group, improves cognitive function.
Don't quit the choir, people!
'A number of studies have looked at the effect of music on brain health. Our PROTECT study has given us a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between cognitive performance and music in a large cohort of older adults,' said Anne Corbett, Professor of Dementia Research at the University of Exeter.
'Overall, we think that being musical could be a way of harnessing the brain's agility and resilience, known as cognitive reserve.'
It makes sense when you think about.
Even in the Bible, God gave the people of Israel a song to sing when they left Egypt so that they would remember Him (not to mention all those Psalms!).
We sing to remember, so it only makes sense that song and music would bring good mental health and memory to people.
Keep on singing, people!
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