Need an Rx for the Holiday Blues? Strike a Chord

Need an Rx for the Holiday Blues? Strike a Chord

Survey Finds Recreational Music-Making Reduces Depression, Anxiety and Loneliness Among Baby Boomers

LAGRANGE PARK, Ill., Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- For many Baby Boomers, the holiday season isn't always filled with joy and good cheer. Feelings of stress, loneliness, anxiety and sadness can intensify during the festivities. Want a sure-fire way to beat the holiday blues? Pick up an instrument. Take a recreational music-making class. Studies have found that group recreational music-making significantly reduces burnout, elevates mood states and improves the quality of life. Lowrey Organ (http://www.lowrey.com/) has long recognized the therapeutic force of music among their Baby Boomer consumers and now has the success stories to support research findings.

In mid-2006, Lowrey conducted a field sample survey of their consumers to better understand what motivates their desire to join the recreational music- making hobby and if and how the program has transformed their lives. Participants' ages ranged between 50 and 85. Over 80% had never played an instrument prior to joining the Lowrey Magic Organ Course. The results demonstrate that music has greatly improved their state of mind, reduced levels of anxiety, lifted depression and has helped improve physical capacities and mental acumen. Dozens of participants noted that recreational music-making has in fact changed how they view retirement.

"I had a stroke in '02," says Phil Braddock, 90. "By the time I went to the hospital, my blood pressure was 240/140. After I started music classes my blood pressure dropped significantly - down to 120/65 and the doctor removed the Catapres arm patch I'd worn for the last few months. My dexterity in my right arm and hand are improving, too. It's all due to music-making."

Studies Support Lowrey Findings

The Music Making and Wellness Project, conducted by Dr. Frederick Tims, Director of the Music Therapy Program at MSU's School of Music, showed that group music classes revealed significant decreases in anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness.

Dr. Barry Bittman, CEO and Medical Director of the Mind-Body Wellness Center (http://www.mind-body.org/), agrees. A study led by Bittman demonstrated that playing a musical instrument can reverse multiple components of the human stress response on the genomic level.

And Dr. Galina Mindlin of the Brain Music Therapy Center (http://www.brainmusictreatment.com/) recently demonstrated on NBC's "Today" show how thousands of patients worldwide have treated anxiety, insomnia, and even depression with therapeutic music created from brain waves.

Beat The Holiday Blues - Literally

Recreational music-making is distinct from "regular" music-making in that it focuses on enjoyable, accessible, and personally fulfilling group music classes rather than musical performance and always hitting the right note. "At age 5 or 85, everyone can benefit socially, mentally and physically from playing an instrument," said Joe Lamond, President and CEO of NAMM (http://www.namm.org/). "It's never too late to start, and playing an instrument is something that can last a lifetime."

Contact:

Frank West
frankw@lowrey.com
o. 708.352-3388 x 229
c. 708.878.7044
http://www.lowrey.com/

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com/.

Source: Lowrey Organ Company

CONTACT: Frank West, Lowrey Organ Company, +1-708-352-3388 x 229, c.
+1-708-878-7044, frankw@lowrey.com

Web site: http://www.lowrey.com/

-------
Profile: intent