So much of my time with Mitzi has a soundtrack to it. Her mood can change on a dime when she hears the first couple of beats from any number of songs on our carefully-crafted Pandora playlist that we’ve been perfecting for a year and a half. It’s literally like flipping a switch if she’s sad (thanks to Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, & The Commodores). We’re very grateful for my van’s 246 Watt 7 speaker audio system with subwoofer that makes Brick House really pop; Mitzi knows just about every line! I have long been amazed at the brain’s ability to remember song lyrics but forget how to put on shoes.
There are many tasks that just take Mitzi longer to do these days. But I’ve found that the secret is to put on disco music. Something about that beat will make her brain fire at least 25% faster. So when we have a deadline and she has to finish eating or getting ready, invariably I have disco music playing on my Pandora app to keep us moving at a faster pace. (If you want to see the incredible power of music in action, check out this video of a Parkinson’s patient moving without and with music: https://youtu.be/uDjQ7lKmH3s)
Here are five reasons why researchers believe that music boosts brain activity:1. Music evokes emotions that bring memories.2. Musical aptitude and appreciation are two of the last remaining abilities in dementia patients.3. Music can bring emotional and physical closeness.4. Singing is engaging.5. Music can shift mood, manage stress and stimulate positive interactions.
