Story by Katharina Buczek
It’s no secret that throwing on the perfect song at just the right moment can elevate an already great experience or memory. But now, a recent survey conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan has confirmed that this sentiment holds true for people of all ages.
The school’s National Poll on Healthy Aging highlighted the significant impact of music on the well-being of older adults. The survey included over 2,600 individuals between the ages of 50 and 80 and revealed that about 75% found music helped them unwind and alleviate stress.
At the same time, 73% found that music fills them with happiness, and 65% turned to tunes for a boost in mental health and mood enhancement.
Plus, 60% of survey respondents use music as a source of motivation, and 31% believe that music plays a role in maintaining mental acuity.
People don’t need to be singers or musicians to enjoy the vast benefits of music, either. The key is just to incorporate music into your life in any way possible, whether that’s through listening to your favorite tracks, playing an instrument, or even humming along.
An overwhelming majority of those surveyed– 98%– noted experiencing at least one health benefit from music. Additionally, 41% described it as “very important” to their lives, while 48% labeled music as “somewhat important.”
“Music has the power to bring joy and meaning to life. It is woven into the very fabric of existence for all of humankind,” said researcher Joel Howell.
“And we know that music is associated with positive effects on measures from blood pressure to depression.”
The survey led by the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, with support from Michigan Medicine and AARP, gathered data from a nationally representative group of older adults inquiring about their experiences and attitudes towards listening to and engaging in music.
Although not all of the participants were musicians, a significant number reported participating in musical activities with others, such as singing or playing an instrument, at least occasionally.
Approximately 8% also mentioned they had sung in a choir or another organized group a few times in the past year. Similarly, 8% also shared that they played an instrument with other people on occasion.
So, the survey revealed that overall, 46% of older adults engage in singing at least several times a week, and 17% play an instrument at least a few times each year.
It might not come as a shock that the majority of those surveyed enjoy listening to music, too, with 85% listening to songs several times a week and 80% tuning into musical performances on TV or online at least a few times in the last year. Additionally, 41% have been to a few live music events over the last 12 months.
It is interesting to note that people with more education and higher incomes were more likely to attend live concerts.
“While music doesn’t come up often in older adults’ visits with their usual care providers, perhaps it should. The power of music to connect us, improve mood and energy, or even ease pain– like 7% of respondents said it does for them– means it could be a powerful tool,” said Jeffrey Kullgren, the survey’s director.
According to Howell, music also serves as a means for people to maintain connections with each other throughout their lives. In fact, 19% of those surveyed even indicated that music holds more significance for them now than in their youth.
Now, Howell believes that, as worries grow about the health implications of social isolation and loneliness among Americans, particularly for older adults, music emerges as a potent means for fostering connections and promoting healthy aging.
To read the survey’s complete findings, visit www.healthyagingpoll.org/reports-more/report/sound-music.
