Stressed or Depressed, Monroe? Pick Up an Axe and Shred the Blues Away

By Guitar Hangar (Open Post)

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! It’s the awesome and powerful guitar riff. Everyone knows there’s nothing cooler or more mood changing than learning an epic guitar solo like Eddie Van Halen’s “Eruption” or Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child,” but did you know it could actually be good for your mental health?

Music is good for the mind. As far as helping stave off Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, John Carpente, founder and executive director of the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy in New York, said music could empower people to emerge from the isolation imposed by such diseases that affect the mind.

“Undoubtedly, it’s one of the most engaging and emotionally powerful stimuli. Listening to music can have strong effects on people’s moods, thinking, and even their physiology,” Carpente said.

So if you’re feeling down in the dumps or in a funk, one of the best things you could do is to grab an axe and shred. Here’s why--

Top 5 Reasons You Should Learn to Play:

1. It’s dope.

· Playing guitar can make you feel good… like that right after exercise feel-good state of mind. According to a study done by McGill University, hearing music triggers the release of dopamine in the brain. This is the same chemical that’s released during and after exercise.

2. It relieves stress.

· Creating and playing music can soothe the savage, stressed out mind, can calm flared tempers and even lower blood pressure.

3. It will cheer you up.

· Life has its share of ups and downs and your mind can change in an instant at the ding of a text or an email. Whether it’s bills, the babe or your boss, life is unpredictable. Having a creative outlet such as guitar playing can change your mood and help you escape from the stressors of this fast-paced world that we live in.

4. It can help with problem solving.

· Learning to play guitar is a challenge. Exercising self-discipline and finishing something to completion can give the player a sense of pride and teach them skills they can apply in the workplace, relationships and other areas of life.

5. It’s fun!

· Music is fun and learning to play is even more fun. When you spend weeks or months perfecting that perfect solo or your favorite song and then finally nail it, there’ s nothing more fun than that. And that will give you a sense of accomplishment, which is good for your health!

Guitar Hangar offers music lessons for musicians or wannabe musicians of all skill levels. Email sales@guitarhangar.com or call 203-740-8889. We are located at 270 Federal Rd #7, Brookfield, CT 06804. Visit out website for more information www.guitarhangar.com.