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Health Benefits of Drumming

Health Benefits of Drumming

by | Jul 24, 2020

For years we have seen the research that music, singing, playing an instrument, and even listening to specific music can increase the capabilities of the brain. These activities result in the brain being stimulated on both sides an occurrence called hemispheric synchronization.   It is astounding to see brain imaging of a person in the presence of music compared with when they are not.   Look at the image below.  The brain’s reaction to music shows the dramatic increase in areas that are stimulated, accessed, and can be altered by the musical sound & rhythm.

From the release of dopamine, a feel-good chemical, our attention is focused away from a negative stimulus to something pleasant and engaging. Music has a huge impact on the brain and our emotions.  Music can alter our breathing and heart rate as well as improve our state of mind.  This helps keep things like depression and anxiety at bay.  Music can reduce the perception of pain and even alter patterns of pain, depression, and disability.  Music occupies the mind with something familiar and soothing.  This creates an environment of comfort and a sense of safety.

As we explore the specific health benefits of drumming, you might be surprised at the vast areas within the brain that drumming can impact.  It has been determined that drumming synchronizes the right and left hemispheres. We have learned that when the logical left hemisphere and the intuitive right hemisphere of your brain begin to pulsate together, your inner guidance system, or intuition, becomes stronger.

Drumming also appears to synchronize the lower areas of the brain (non-verbal) with the frontal cortex (language and reasoning). This integration produces feelings of insight and certainty.  For these reasons, therapeutic drumming may be a powerful tool in helping retrain the brains of people who have some level of damage or impairment.  Those diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), have suffered a stroke, or have a neurological disease such as Parkinson’s are appropriate candidates for therapeutic drumming.

Finally, music with a strong beat can stimulate brainwaves.  Slow beats create the slow brain waves that are associated with hypnotic or meditative states.  Faster beats may increase more alert and concentrated thinking.  When Beta waves used for concentration change to Alpha waves your body and mind will begin to calm and feel more relaxed.  This may be helpful to individuals suffering from depression and anxiety.

Professional drummer Alex Rüdinger has faced and battled depression. Drumming has been an integral part of his recovery.  His story is quite powerful and worth the read. https://audient.com/2019/04/02/rudi_drums/

What about those who are not professional drummers? Can drumming be helpful to untrained musicians?  There have been some comprehensive studies done with individuals suffering from anxiety and depression who have no musical training that has shown very nice results.

The study, Effects of Group Drumming Interventions on Anxiety, Depression, Social Resilience and Inflammatory Immune Response (2016), explored whether a music-making intervention, specifically group drumming, could improve mental health over several weeks. Additionally, in order to ascertain the physiological effects of drumming, the study explored whether psychological responses were found in parallel with a reduction in pro-inflammatory response.

Their hypothesis was that across ten-weeks of group drumming there would be a decrease in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and improvements in social resilience and mental wellbeing.  It was determined that ten weeks or more of group drumming for 90 minutes each session did decrease anxiety and depression as opposed to the control group who did not receive group drumming.  In addition, they were thrilled to document that these participants also maintained decreased levels of anxiety and depression at the 3-month follow-up.

Considering the many health benefits of drumming it is an excellent option for those experiencing mental health challenges.  Are you interested in getting involved in a group this Fall? Send us a message by using our Contact Us link.  We would love to speak with you more.

Works Cited

Fancourt, D., Perkins, R., Ascenso, S., Carvalho, L. A., Steptoe, A., & Williamon, A. (2016). Effects of group drumming interventions on anxiety, depression, social resilience and inflammatory immune response among mental health service users. PloS one, 11(3), e0151136.

Masked Communication: Helping Young Children

Masked Communication: Helping Young Children

by | Jul 17, 2020

Young children look for emotional cues from caregivers to help interpret the environment. They rely on their caregiver’s facial expressions, tone of voice, and body posture to identify and understand emotions.  There is much controversy on mask-wearing and at what age do children need to be masked in public.  Regardless, our young children are being exposed to environments where they many times cannot see the bottom portion of the other person’s face, causing difficulty for them to fully understand what is being communicated.  In some cases, they are having a difficult time socializing with their peers, which is especially frustrating for them.

Below are a few ideas and tips for helping children identify emotions when your face, your most expressive feature, is covered by a mask. Use these strategies to let children know that behind the mask, a kind and warm expression is still there!

  • Practice emotional expressions with a mask on in front of a mirror. Pay attention to facial cues that can be seen, body movements, and hand gestures.
  • Incorporate some simple ASL when teaching emotions. Here is a video to get you started:

  • Direct children to look at your eyebrows, eyes, body movements, and gestures when talking about emotions. For example, “Look, I am happy. You can’t see my mouth smile, but my cheeks lift up, my eyes crinkle, and my shoulders and arms look like this.”
  • Increase the use of gestures throughout the day and when talking about emotions (e.g., shoulders shrugged for sad, arms out to indicate a happy mood).
  • Talk about your feelings as much as possible (e.g., “I am feeling happy that it is almost time to go outside and play.”; “I am feeling sad that it is raining right now.”; “I am feeling excited that we have a new toy in centers today.”).
  • If using an emotion check-in, encourage all adults in the classroom to participate and check-in when the children do.

Click here for “This is How I Feel Today” visuals.

  • Be sure to face children and remain nearby when talking to them while wearing a mask. Wearing a mask muffles the speaker’s speech, which can make it more difficult to understand what is said.
  • Provide an activity for children to practice wearing a mask and making different faces while looking in a mirror or at each other. Point out how their face looks (e.g., eyes, eyebrows).

 

If your child is experiencing a difficult time with the many changes COVID-19 has created feel free to use the Contact Us Link to speak with one of our therapists.  We have many services that might be helpful.  

Let’s Go Outside and Hear Some Music!

Let’s Go Outside and Hear Some Music!

by | Jul 2, 2020

The lazy, hazy days of summer are officially upon us. This summer presents a few unique challenges for entertaining our children as many public places, camps, and activities remain closed due to the pandemic. After an entire spring of homeschooling and continued social distancing, it’s safe to say that we all need a little relaxation in our lives. Going outside and hearing the music of nature is a great way to find some peace of mind during these chaotic times.

Notice the sounds

The first step to finding music in nature is to simply hear the sounds. Go outside and listen. This is an ideal opportunity to be mindful. Take a minute to drown out the noise of your inner thoughts, and focus entirely on the sounds of the moment.

Do you hear wind in the trees? How about birds chirping? Maybe you hear some human-made sounds, like the hum of an air conditioner or cars. If you listen closely enough, the sounds of nature will prevail.

Notice the rhythms

A biophony is the collection of sounds that animals make in an environment. Biophonies are the result of not just one animal voice, but all animal voices in a single ecosystem. For example, the calls of birds and croaks of frogs. In the healthiest of ecosystems, all sounds and calls of animals can be heard amongst each other.

A biophony is a natural and authentic orchestra. In our modern world, it is tough to find a healthy ecosystem, and therefore biophony. As such, it is ultra-rewarding to notice those rhythms that stand out over our human-made sounds.

To make a successful biophony, animals make their calls, and sing their songs in different rhythms, so that all might be heard. In an ideal ecosystem, not one voice goes unheard. If the concept of a biophony interests you, check out this audio book by Bernie Krause called: The Great Animal Orchestra: Finding the Origins of Music in the World’s Wild Places.

Look around and play!

If you are a parent or caring for children this summer, turning nature into an instrument can be a great activity.

When you look around, do you see any objects of nature that could be used as instruments? Perhaps start with finding some sticks. Tap them on different places. Do they sound different when you tap them on rocks versus the bark of a tree?

 If you are near water or have a bucket you can fill, try grabbing a handful of pebbles and drop them in one-by-one. Plunk, plunk, plunk into the water.

If you live near a sidewalk, take some different materials and see what they sound like when you scratch them on that concrete. How do rocks sound different from sticks?

Need some more inspiration? Check out the music video below made entirely from sounds in nature! We hope you find some music and relaxation in the nature near your home!

 

Blog submitted by Katie Pistilli

Mindfulness for Kids: 4 Sensory Activities

Mindfulness for Kids: 4 Sensory Activities

by | Jun 12, 2020

Last month we touched on the topic of mindfulness and more specifically how to help your child use mindfulness breathing activities to calm their bodies and minds.  This month we are highlighting some wonderful sensory activities that can allow you and your child to focus on the present moment, recognizing and appreciating the elements that are being explored, and how the experience makes you feel. 

A helpful practice is ‘mental noting”. Mental noting is labeling by naming the thoughts and feelings that come up as you engage in quiet time, a sensory-based activity, or during an intentional activity in which you choose to be more aware, more mindful, during that time period.

As you read through 4 suggested activities select one or two that you would like to try with your child.  Although mindfulness activities can be done with more than one child per adult, when first learning it is helpful to initially limit the experience to one child as it reduces the distractions. For many, distractions are the number one challenge reported when attempting to increase the practice of mindfulness.

Sensory Activity List

1. Music Listening – Find a piece of instrumental music that you typically find enjoyable to listen to when wanting to relax. Many choose a piece that is slower and more reflective, however never rule out music that has a strong grounding pulse or even a happy encouraging beat.  Play the music for your child and see if they have a similar appreciation of the selection.  Below is an example of a piece that you can try if you are having difficulty thinking of one on your own.  The next step is to place your body in a comfortable position and, if necessary to eliminate distractions, you can close your eyes as well.  As the music begins, take some slow breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.  As you hear the sounds, on occasion model for your child verbal statements such as, “This is pretty music”, “I hear a guitar”, “It makes me think of a waterfall”, “I feel relaxed”.   Listen to the comments your child has about the experience and acknowledge their thoughts and feelings.

 

2. Sensory Snacking – Create a visually appealing and tasty display of snack foods to experience with your child. Be thoughtful of foods that your child enjoys but may not generally think about the characteristics of that food.  Consider smell, color, texture, chewy versus crunchy, salty as opposed to sweet.  How does it feel in your mouth when you bite into it or suck on it?  Perhaps ask your child how many kinds of snacks they would like to use and if they have any special food they would like to include.  See below one example of how to prepare this mindfulness activity.

3. Nature Walks – Regardless of the season there is always a beautiful sensory experience waiting right outside your door. Move at your child’s speed, which, of course, can vary from sprinting like a cheetah to slugging along at a tortoise pace. Bring your sense of curiosity and adventure and allow your child to lead the way.  Create unique names for the colors you see similar to a Crayola crayon box, pick up gems you find and compare the textures, smell the flowers and grass, and listen to the sound of nature’s many voices.  Open your mouth and catch a raindrop or snowflake on your tongue or take a deep breath in and out while sitting or lying on the warm ground. Enjoy noting the many sensory moments and feelings they create along the way.

 4. Drumming – It is quite simple to make your own drum if you do not have one available. Wooden spoons on Tupperware containers or using your hands on a solid surface can work quite well. Tom Tom or Conga drums can be inexpensively purchased. Use this link to explore some options.  https://www.amazon.com/Remo-KD-5080-01-Kids-Percussion-Floor/dp/B0002F7KUG

A simple way to practice mindfulness with drums is to have the adult or child start a steady beat.  The other person can join in with the same beat or a different one.  As you play the rhythms and listen to the other person’s tempo and pulse, move your body in a way that reflects how it makes you feel, show animation if you feel happy, or close your eyes if it causes you to feel relaxed.  Key in on the non-verbal communication from your child. You can mention what you see and then ask them if you are right.  Example: “You are loving that beat.  I can tell by your smile. Am I right?”  Trade-off being the leader or the follower.  Notice the textures of the drums and how it makes your body feel when playing different ways with your full hands, fingers, palms, spoons, or sticks.

 

For information about our counseling services with mindfulness training for adults and children use our Contact Us link.

A Whole New World: Music Teletherapy

A Whole New World: Music Teletherapy

by | May 29, 2020

Prior to COVID-19, the word “teletherapy” meant very little to our team of music therapists. To even consider not driving to school, homes, or daycares was not a thought in our minds. How could it be? Yet, in a matter of days teletherapy became a new reality. All the hours spent fine-tuning our craft for in-person services had to be adjusted overnight. Looking back now, it is amazing how much our team has learned in a few short months.

A New Approach

After school closures, it quickly became apparent that the social-emotional benefits of music were taking center stage. This is a confusing time we are all in. For many families, the presence of music therapy in their homes is a welcome break to the stress they are under. At UTMC, we truly want to embrace this facet of music and ensure we are continually bringing not only music but joy into homes. Below is a photo of Sarah Ramey, an employee at UMTC accomplishing this mission during a teletherapy session! 

Supporting the Whole Family

As our team adjusted to doing therapy through a computer screen, it became apparent that we were able to help families in a unique way. By bringing music into the home, we can provide our students with a dose of familiarity in a confusing situation.

It is no secret that music has a way of lifting spirits. Our staff noticed siblings, grandparents, and parents joining sessions with a smile on their faces. Many stated they were looking forward to music all day. This is the kind of positive energy we want to bring to our families.

New Intervention Strategies

Parents and teachers aren’t the only ones learning about new technologies! Our music therapy team has been knee-deep in picking up new online learning strategies. If you are interested in pursuing online services, you will experience some of these new strategies for yourself.

1) Zoom

For the most part, our therapists use Zoom as a video chatting platform with students. Zoom comes with some great interactive features such as screen and audio sharing. While using these, the therapist is able to provide visuals and quality audio with the student on the other end.

2) PowerPoint

Many of our therapists use PowerPoint slide shows to present students with books or choice boards. It’s difficult to use visuals in hand because they may be blurry or off-angle. Using a PowerPoint via screen sharing solves that problem and provides clear visuals. 

3) Share controls

Zoom also allows for the students to have control over the screen. With this feature, the therapist is able to ask questions, have students type answers on their own, or drag and drop images to complete visual activities.

4) Props

Now more than ever it is important for therapists to grab our student’s attention. It can be so difficult to stay seated for 30-minutes, especially in front of a computer screen! Our therapists do their best to engage students with props such as hats, stuffed animals, scarves, or other colorful visuals.

New Services at Upstate Music Therapy Center

Upstate Music Therapy Center believes that music services should be accessible despite school closures. In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have adjusted by offering a variety of online music activities such as Music Enrichment, online Music Therapy, and FREE Online Music for Preschoolers (available on our Facebook page through the end of June). Additionally, online Counseling services are available. If you would like to learn more about these new online services, click here.

It is a shocking, confusing, and strange time we are all in. At UMTC, we hope that our services for students and the community can bring a ray of light into the homes and lives of families we work with. Don’t forget to find humor where you can in this whole new world we live in! 

 

This blog was submitted by Katie Hall.

Mindfulness for Kids: 5 Breathing Activities

Mindfulness for Kids: 5 Breathing Activities

by | May 15, 2020

Mindfulness has become more familiar in the western world over the last 40 years. It was mainly adopted by counselors working with individuals struggling with anxiety, compulsive disorders, and past trauma, training them to use this practice in and out of counseling.  Later, yoga classes and adults looking for ways to relax began incorporating mindfulness.

Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations without judgment.  As its popularity spreads, we are now witnessing mindfulness classes in the community for adults, and schools are adding it into their curriculum for our children. This is largely due to the noted increase of stress in the lives of Americans and the impact on individuals of every age.  Did you realize that April is Stress Awareness Month? Necessary, but also concerning!

There are some wonderful ways to help our children learn mindfulness practices while they are young, in hopes that they will carry these learned skills into their adulthood. There are many types of mindfulness activities, however this week we are focusing on breathing activities.  We inhale and exhale all day long and yet rarely pay attention to the quality or pace. As we become more aware and train ourselves and our children to focus on our breathing, we will be better equipped to use these techniques when becoming stressed.

1. Squeeze Breathing – Have the child squeeze a trusted adult in a hug, give a self-hug, or squeeze a soft object. While doing so, breathe in through the nose and out slowly through the mouth three times.  Getting the proper pace of breathing is important so initially, an adult should model slow breathing for the child.

2. Count Breathing– This style of slow breathing is helpful as the child can say a number prior to inhaling and exhaling, counting up to 5 or for as long as the breathing is helpful. Saying each number out loud helps the child stay focused.

3. Music Breathing – Exposing children to all styles of music is a wonderful gift. I find that piano music is especially calming. Listen to this example of Disney music properly paced for slow breathing. This audio is over three hours long, feel free to fast forward to add some variety to your mindfulness.

 

4. Visual Breathing – For children who respond positively to visual cues there are some great free videos online. I especially recommend those with a friendly character to help the child know when to inhale and when to exhale. You may want to try this video with an animated fish.

 

5. Alternate Nostril Breathing – Children respond positively to this type of breathing as they like the idea of plugging their nose. We have children use their pointer finger to hold one nostril closed and slowly breathe in and out one time through the open nostril.  Then release that nostril and use the other pointer finger to plug the other nostril and repeat the breathing. They can alternate for as many times as the breathing is helpful in a slow rhythmic pattern.

 

For information about our counseling services with mindfulness training for adults and children use our Contact Us link.