Your BrainWants to Boogie
Why Music Is Good for Your Mind
The connection between memory and music is one where hard science supports basic human intuition. Has a song ever made you snap back to a perfectly crystalized moment from the past? If so, you’ve already felt the powerful link between music and our personal histories. PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE Studies have shown that those who work out while listening to music can perform at higher levels for longer periods of time. Research has also demonstrated that listening to music you enjoy can improve results on standardized tests and spatial-reasoning exercises. In both cases, it’s important that you listen to music you actually like. The “Mozart effect” won’t work if you find Mozart’s music annoying. CULTURAL AWARENESS Aside from food, it’s hard to think of a medium that says more about a culture than its music. Listening to the music of Fela Kuti, say, can inspire you to learn about the politics of Nigeria in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Because of its ability to transcend time, space, and language, music brings us together like little else.
In his bestselling book “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,” famed neurologist Oliver Sacks details just how important music is to the experience of being human. “I have found music continually forcing itself on my attention,” he writes, “showing me its effects in nearly every aspect of brain function — and life.” You don’t have to be able to read or play music to receive the brain- boosting benefits, either; simply listening to music can promote a number of useful cognitive functions. That’s especially good news considering how joyous listening to music can be. Whether we’re quietly contemplating some jazz on our headphones, throwing on a playlist of “lo-fi beats to study to,” or dancing the night away to disco, our favorite tunes animate our lives. Beyond simply making our days more pleasurable, here are a few ways music enhances our inner lives. MEMORY FUNCTION “Music can definitely support the recall and even formation of memories,” says Frank A. Russo, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Ryerson University. “Enjoyable music may lead to dopamine release in the mesolimbic [reward] pathway, which may, in turn, support the formation of associations, and, ultimately, memories.”
SUCCESS STORIES
“They made rehab fun! I came in to the clinic with shoulder pain. Sleeping was a problem, as well as putting on clothes, to the point that I decided to have surgery, which was a tough decision. However, my mobility was a lot better, and the pain subsided. My experience was great. After surgery, the real struggle began. The crew here worked as a team to get me back to normal. I haven’t felt this pain-free in several years. Thank you all at PPT! You are the best!”
Paleo Breakfast Casserole This easy-to-make, protein-packed casserole is a killer way to start the day, and it’s easy to make in bulk and reheat. Make it on Sunday and enjoy healthy breakfasts throughout the week.
Ingredients
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2 cups spinach
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1/2 cup onion, diced 1 red pepper, diced 2 strips bacon, cut into squares 1 large sweet potato, spiralized or grated 2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth (optional: substitute with water)
–Andrew Carle
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1 tsp paprika
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6 eggs
“I have had the best PT trainers ever. I started out with a lot of pain, and now I’m doing 20 miles on the bike again. My ankle was very stiff and painful. Now, I’m doing better, and the staff keeps me on task each time. I came to my sessions without a doubt that I had the best team ever for physical therapy.”
Salt and pepper, to taste
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Directions 1. Heat oven to 375 F.
2. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté onion, peppers, bacon, and sweet potatoes until bacon is completely rendered and onions are translucent. Then, add garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes. Finally, add spinach and continue cooking for another 3–5 minutes. 3. Transfer to a greased casserole dish. 4. In a mixing bowl, whisk together eggs and pour them over casserole. 5. Bake for 20–30 minutes, let stand for 5 minutes, and serve. Inspired by TheLeanGreanBean.com Professional Physical Therapy | 508-528-6100 • 3
–Michael Collette
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