Site Home  Blog Home

How to Chase Away the Blues and Play Them, Too!

By Kathy Silber

play harmonica

What is 4” x 1” x ¾”, fits into your pocket or purse, never fails to elicit a smile, and is even good for you?! Give up? It’s the harmonica!

Thanks to the gregarious nature of many who are attracted to this little instrument, harmonica groups are popping up all across the country. People are discovering how relaxing a pastime playing the harmonica can be. It’s an instrument that, given even a little time, you can play by ear–even if you’ve never played another instrument previously.

Once you begin to play, you’ll find that you can pick out tunes that you’ve known for years. What a kick! Within a very short period of time, you’re doing something you never thought possible. It’s a real ego-booster!

Do you have “blue” days once in a while? Relax with your harmonica and you’re sure to feel better in a matter of minutes. Although it’s cheaper than drugs, it may well prove to be more addicting. You’ll find it’s hard to put down, but when you do, you’re in a much happier state of mind.

These days doctors are providing evidence that the harmonica is not only a feel-good instrument, but it is also a do-good instrument as well. Harmonica groups are being formed at hospitals, of all places, spanning from the east coast to the west coast. Doctors have recognized for years that the blow/draw action required for harmonica playing is beneficial to patients with lung problems.

Now they are forming harmonica therapy groups in hospitals for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema, Asthma, and Chronic Bronchitis. By blowing and drawing through the instrument’s holes, it becomes necessary to use the diaphragm, the muscle that has become flattened in the course of the disease. Harmonicas are also used in therapy for those who have had heart attacks and open-heart surgery. For these patients it strengthens the heart muscle. Physical therapy patients agree that playing the harmonica is much more effective and fun than blowing out candles, walking on a treadmill or blowing up five inch balloons. They not only look forward to their group therapy sessions, but they are also more apt to practice at home.

Harmonica players are loath to look upon their playing as exercise, but the physiological benefits of playing the instrument are deeply felt. This probably, then, is the reason that playing the harmonica chases depression away: when we exercise, the body releases those feel-good endorphins.

So the next time someone laughs when you tell them you play the harmonica, just tell them that you’re on the cutting edge of modern medicine.

You’re playing not just for fun, but for the health of it!

Bookmark and Share


Responses to This Article

  •   
    Greg said on October 16, 2009

    Congratulation Aunt Kathy, don’t think I’ll be playing anytime soon, but Morgan has one and loves to “play” it!

    gw

    [Reply]

  •   
    Heather White said on October 16, 2009

    So true!! My 4 year-old daughter decided a year ago or so that she wanted a harmonica. I find myself playing it when it is out, and it truly is a relaxing, almost meditative device.

    Brings back memories of when I was a child. My granddad had harmonicas he obtained and held onto from WWII that I thought were treasures. I was only allowed to get them out and play them on occasion.

    I had never thought of the health benefits, but next time my husband is looking at me with eyes screaming, “PLEASE put down the harmonica”, I will simply explain I am exercising my lungs. :)

    [Reply]

Leave a Comment...

Trackback Links | RSS Comments Links