The next time you're feeling stressed, anxious or sad, don't reach for a glass of wine, a pill or a bag of potato chips. Put on some tunes, sing along and dance as if nobody were watching you.
Music and movement can make you feel better.
People in their prime are discovering — or rediscovering — how listening to music, attending a concert, taking a dance class, playing a musical instrument or joining a choir makes them feel happier, calmer, and yes, younger.
According to the Harvard School of Medicine, studies show listening to music, singing or music therapy can "create significant improvements in mental health and smaller improvements in physical health-related quality of life."
Other studies show physical movements produce endorphins, a hormone released by the brain when a person feels stress or pain. Endorphins not only help relieve stress and pain, they are also shown to improve a person’s mood.
In Sudbury, physiotherapist Hilary Deverell and music therapist Kylie Klym are developing music and movement classes for people 55 and older designed to boost strength, balance and co-ordination in a fun and social environment.
Rhythm and Reps classes will be held at Lonsdale Community Campus in Minnow Lake starting next month.
Deverall, a director of Neuro North and a physiotherapist, has experience in neurological, vestibular, and complex musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Klym studied music therapy at the University of Windsor after graduating from Lasalle Secondary School. Through her business, Kadence Music Therapy, she has been offering her services for more than a decade.
"Movements will include clapping and stomping. Instruments like (salt) shakers will be provided and there will be live music," said Klym of the classes.
While still a relatively new field, the Canadian Association of Music Therapists, which was established in 1977, says music therapy has been found to help people cope with stress, chronic pain, limited mobility, hypertension, Alzheimer’s/dementia, depression, anxiety and brain injuries.
The association regulates therapists who must study at university, perform an internship and invest in continuing education.
"People are becoming more aware (of music therapy) because of social media," said Klym, who is one of only two music therapists in Sudbury.
Klym leads music therapy sessions for people with disabilities and at seniors' homes like St. Joseph's Health Centre. Participants sing, play simple percussion instruments or just listen.
She conducts sessions with individuals and groups and has worked with children as well as centenarians.
Her playlist includes everything from classical music to French folk songs, from country to rock 'n' roll, and she can personalize a selection of favourite songs for individuals
"Music is powerful for all ages," Klym said. "Music interacts with both sides of the brain, the artistic and the logical sides.
"Music therapy is beneficial for overall wellness and mental health… . You don't have to be a musician. It is a simple alternative to talk therapy because there is a lot of great non-verbal elements to music."
Klym, who plays clarinet and guitar, at one time considered a career in health care
"I had a desire to help others. My mother, a registered nurse, worked with a music therapist, so I was aware of the profession. She described the work and it simply stuck with me," she said.
Rhythm and Reps will be held on Wednesday afternoons for four weeks, in November at the Minnow Lake adult and youth enrichment centre, 1050 Lonsdale Ave.
If there is a good response, the Rhythm and Reps program will be expanded.
For more information, phone 705-885-2223 or [email protected].
Vicki Gilhula is a freelance writer. Prime is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
