Healthy Habits Start Here: Piano Therapy for Diabetes Wellness

If you’ve been following my blog, you’re probably aware that I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called RA, rheumatoid arthritis. That’s why I relate so well with so many of you out there who are living with an autoimmune disease. The pain, the weight gain, insomnia, need I go on? Like RA, type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It’s often diagnosed in children and teens, but it can appear at any age. In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy tissues of the body and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas.

According to the Center for Disease Control, 37.3 million Americans, about 1 in 10, have diabetes. 96 million American adults have prediabetes. For people aged 10 to 19 years, new cases of type 2 diabetes increased for all racial and ethnic minority groups, especially Black teens. With so many out there suffer from diabetes, I decided it would be a great idea to write about how playing the piano can bring valuable benefits to those living with the disease. So let’s get started!

The jury is out, though, if type 2 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, the discovery may have big implications on our understanding of obesity. It’ll also affect the way obesity-induced type 2 diabetes is treated.

Doctors currently treat type 2 diabetes with two traditional approaches.

The first focuses on a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet and frequent exercise are the pillars of this treatment.

Doctors then typically prescribe oral medications that work in different ways to increase your body’s ability to use insulin, to make less glucose, and to perform other actions.

If medications don’t work, you may need to use insulin. Injections of insulin can help your cells absorb glucose and generate energy.

Some people with diabetes may be able to postpone insulin injections with healthy lifestyle changes and medications. Others may need them right away.

But wait, what about piano as therapy? Hmm…sounds like a great plan and wellness path to me, how about you?

Here’s the ah-ha moment we’ve been waiting for…why not learn to play the piano?

Did you know that playing the piano is an excellent and therapeutic way to relax for those living with diabetes? Many studies prove music as therapy, in general, helps control diabetes by maintaining blood glucose levels within acceptable limits. Music, especially piano, improves overall mood and reduces stress levels. Music helps with regulation of blood circulation, therefore helping in absorption of glucose. Diabetes is complex and thus following a particular or standardized line of treatment might not always work for all. Treatment modules may vary from person to person.

Here are a few ways playing the piano helps control diabetes, by maintaining blood glucose levels within acceptable limits:

Practicing piano improves overall mood and reduces stress levels.

Practicing piano helps in regulation of blood circulation, therefore helping in the absorption of glucose.

Practicing piano stabilized pulse and blood pressure.

Practicing therapy helps in effective metabolism and digestion which improves the secretion of insulin from the pancreas.

Music as Therapy

Music as therapy works on the principle of coordination between the beats of the music with your heart beat.

When the beats of the music are equivalent to your normal heart rate, it brings about a soothing effect on your body, mind and soul.

Rhythms that are below the normal heart rate can create calmness and tranquillity; whereas, rhythms that are above the normal heart rate are known to create excitement and exhilaration.

Music in general creates electromagnetic changes in your body that affect brain waves, heart rates, blood pressure and overall state of mind.

Benefits of this method:

Helps in relaxation of blood vessels and improves blood circulation.
Strengthens the immune system.
Reduces stress levels by.
Improves your mental health.
Promotes muscle and hand strengthening.
Helps in effective coordination of muscles and nerve systems.
Improves sleep and appetite.
Reduces anxiety and depression.

Mix it Up

Don’t want to play the piano? Mix it up with low-impact instruments like the xylophone, or try playing the congas; turn on spicy Latin music and play along! Check these amazing musical instruments: 15 Best Low-Impact Musical Instruments

Overall piano as therapy is known to be beneficial in multiple ways and overall well-being. For diabetic patients it is advisable to keep a glucometer handy at all times. You can also have a before and after therapy blood sugar reading to see how the therapy is working for you.

It’s advised that patients suffering with diabetes should monitor their sugar readings on a regular basis to know what is working best for their health. It is only when you know whether your sugar reading is in the high, low or controlled range, that you will be able to make the required changes to your lifestyle and diet.

Now, I know what you’re probably thinking, your’re going to fall completely in love with the piano and love how great you feel to play your favorite tunes. Realistically? The piano shouldn’t be an all-day, everyday thing. Sometimes you want to hear the sounds of nature, or people, or whatever is around. But when you want to move better, think better, or relax better, practicing piano can help. And practicing piano can help your diabetes management.

I hope you found this post helpful. If you or a loved-one suffer from diabetes, here at Music to Mend, I teach easy, step-by-step songs using ear-training techniques. You’ll be playing your favorite tunes in weeks instead of years because I’ll show you how to use chords and improvisation. If you’d like to discuss your music wellness plan, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Until next time, happy piano playing!

BONUS:

Soothing listening music:

The Fisherman’s Daughter, Artist: Isola James