If you’ve ever gone to a live performance, you might be familiar with the sight of musicians and bands rocking out across the stage. You might have even done it yourself! While it’s certainly a lot of fun and provides an adrenaline rush, it can also be great for your health.
In this blog post we’ll be taking a look at why being in a band is good for your health, and we won’t just be looking at the physical benefits either. Being in a band also offers some amazing mental health benefits.
If you’ve never hit the stage before, then it might seem unlikely that being in a band could provide all these benefits. But trust us when we say it really can. Let’s take a look at the physical health benefits first before taking a more in-depth look at the positive effects being in a band can have on your general well-being.
THE PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF MUSIC
There are a lot of physical health benefits to being in a band which people don’t normally think about. What you think is just a regular part of the “being in a band” experience actually offers many great additional health benefits. Let’s take a look at them in more detail.
Anyone who has even been in a band will tell you it can be hard work getting things set up and ready to go. Whether it’s a big show at a music festival or a small performance at your local club, getting everything ready to go will take a lot of moving about. Bands, when they’re starting out, will have to carry all their own gear and this will mean you will have plenty of heavy equipment to move about from place to place. Unless you’re playing something like the tambourine (or are lucky enough to have your own roadie), you’ll probably have some hefty amps and instruments to move around.
And even if your particular instrument is quite light, you’ll still be expected to help your bandmates and set the stage. That’s what being in a band is about, after all. This might not seem like much at the time, but believe us when we say this will be quite the workout – especially if you’re the kind of person that leaves set up to the last minute and then has to rush to get ready.
If you’re performing regularly, you’ll be able to tone those muscles in no time. Of course, this will vary from band to band, but even small bands without much set up work will still feel the physical health benefits over time. Lugging kit up and down several flights of stairs is itself an act of athleticism.
Does any performer actually stay completely still on stage at all times? Whether you’re playing an instrument, singing the vocals or both, you’ll be moving around the stage a lot. When you really get into the rhythm, you won’t even realize you’re doing it, which makes it a great way to work out.
Rocking out really is great cardio and depending on your moves might engage your whole body. Of course, most people’s legs will be seeing the brunt of the work, but you could be holding instruments, dancing, and much more. I mean, just look at how many pictures there are of sweaty musicians out there up on stage performing.
This goes for all genres too. Sure, a thrash metal or classic rock band might be moving around more on stage than some other types of band. But we think practically every performer, no matter the genre, will be getting their own workout in some form. Combined with white-hot spotlights shining on you, even small movements can make you get a sweat on.
It’s true however that some instruments provide a better workout than others. Drummers might be the butt of some good-natured jokes in the band community, but they especially require tons of stamina to play effectively.
Strutting across the stage whether to dance, perform, or just because you’re feeling the music and feeding off the crowd’s energy is sure to give you a full-body workout. Even if you’re not the frontman, you’ll still be getting your exercise in. And that goes for rehearsals too, not just live gigs.
THE COORDINATION BENEFITS
Being in a band is a great way to improve your coordination. In fact, many schools recommend that pupils struggling with their hand-eye co-ordination try playing an instrument. This can help in a huge way and even has scientific evidence backing it up.
Good hand-eye coordination will help you when it comes to playing sports, driving, writing, and much more. Many teenagers and adults out there suffer from poor hand-eye co-ordination, but playing in a band is a great way to improve it.
So, that closes up our look at the many great physical benefits of playing in a band. Let’s now turn our gaze towards the mental health benefits.
THE MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF PLAYING MUSIC
Being in a band offers many great mental health benefits. You don’t have to aim to be a professional, either. Whether it’s as a hobby, side-project or your main passion, performing in a band is great for both body and mind.
The social aspect
Being in a band is a very social activity, and the mental health benefits of this can’t be underestimated. Performing on stage together or rehearsing with others will help you combat loneliness, feed your creativity, and help you build new friendships. They’re called bandmates for a reason after all.
Sense of achievement
One of the biggest mental health difficulties people struggle with is dealing with their sense of self-worth. But joining a band will help give you a greater sense of achievement and self-worth. This will help you stay happier and more positive and be a great boost to your mental well-being.
Stress relief
Rocking out on stage is an amazing way to de-stress! Plenty of musicians have told stories of how they feel happiest when they’re on stage performing for others, and how it helps them combat feelings of stress and depression. So, if you are looking for an effective form of stress relief, why not try joining a band? Whilst we don’t encourage smashing guitars to pieces, bashing a drum kit can help.
Music builds confidence
We’ve already talked about how being in a band can help build a greater sense of achievement and self-worth. But it also has the great effect of building your confidence.
Many people who struggle with their mental health experience issues with their confidence. And while it might be scary at first, joining a band and performing could be just the way to combat these feelings. Having increased confidence can help you in all areas of your life and make you walk a little taller.
Music boosts memory
Did you know that performing in a band can help improve your memory? This is especially true if you play an instrument, as in doing so you will be actively using both sides of your brain, which will help strengthen your memory.
Mental health issues like depression can cause problems with your memory and make it more difficult to focus and concentrate. But performing in a band is an effective way to build greater memory power.
Concentration
Finally, let’s talk about how being in a band can help with your concentration. Whether you’re playing an instrument, singing, or both, you will be amazed at how much playing in a band can help your concentration and level of focus.
Difficulty concentrating is another common side effect of many mental health disorders, and playing in a band can help you stay more alert and focused even when off the stage. Over time, you might be surprised by just how much playing a band can help you improve your concentration.
HOW WEJAM CAN HELP
If you want to try out playing in a band to see just how beneficial it can be for your well-being, then WeJam can help. Our studio experience lets you see what it’s like to play in a band and try this feel-good activity for yourself. Although we won’t make you carry any instruments or equipment, we guarantee to have you moving about to the beat!
Whether it’s with friends, family, or co-workers, a session at WeJam will give you a great way to see how much fun performing can be and how music can benefit your body and mind. WeJam is ideal for people who are completely new to performing, but even experienced performers will be sure to enjoy it as well. Who knows, newcomers might enjoy it so much that they decide to start a band of your own!
Many people don’t realize just how beneficial playing in a band can be when it comes to improving overall well-being. But it really can have a huge impact and as you can see from our list above the benefits are plentiful. It might be a little nerve-racking at first, but a WeJam session is the perfect environment to see just how invigorating playing in a band can be.
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