Relevance of Music & Yoga for Brain Health during Aging

Aging is a process; wise will welcome it or else will find an excuse. The degree of acceptance varies based on individual views, culture, and environment. Experts such as Policy Makers, Mental Health Professionals to HR leaders are concerned about the aging population. If you ask me what is old age? Philosophy and Professionals define it as “it is the final stage of human life.” 

Mental Health Professionals today play a significant role in addressing the mental health needs of our growing population of older adults. Asia and Europe are the two regions where a considerable number of populations shall face aging soon. Although India is the youngest country now with a median age of 29 years, the number of elderly people is likely to increase significantly. Hence, a thoughtful view on Physical, Psychological, and Social role changes that challenge their sense of self and capacity to live happily in this Information Intensive and Technology Centric world is essential. Experts emphasize that many people experience loneliness and depression in old age, either because of living alone or due to a lack of close family ties and reduced connections with their culture of origin, which results in an inability to actively take part in community activities. With progressing age, it is inevitable that people lose connection with their friendship network and that they find it more difficult to start new friendships and to belong to new networks.

As per Neurobiologists’ view, Depression has been linked to problems or imbalances in the brain about the neurotransmitter serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. In music, it’s not just the notes that make up a melody; it is also the spaces or pauses between the notes that make each note stand out and be distinct. Similarly, these neurotransmitters are chemicals that are transmitted from one neuron to another as a communication system, through a synapse that connects one neuron to other. Every time communication is processed (thought is processed) there needs to be some quiet time between the neurotransmitter and reset the pattern back to normal activity. Continuous variations (repeated thought process) will result in an imbalance of these chemicals and your system demands a break to regain homeostasis (harmony) among busy neurotransmitters.

How to fight imbalance of neurotransmitters resulting in depression? The answer lies in understanding the cause of deviation or variations (repeated thoughts). One of the scientifically proven methods and the well-established area is Music therapy, which is recognized in the East and West (Sanivarapu, S. L., 2015). Our Ancients have relied on music through an unbroken tradition of chanting and toning of sounds involved in Veda mantras in praise of God and find harmony over uneven Mind, Body, and Environment. The first reference to music was made by Panini (500 BC) and the first reference to musical theory is found in Rikpratisakhya (400 BC). Several sects of ‘bhakti’ such as Sri, Brahma, Rudra, Hamsa, Catuhsana, Chaitanya, and Dasa sampradaya, have all accorded priority to music. Raga chikitsa was an ancient manuscript, which dealt with the therapeutic effects of raga (Shambhavi Das, 2019). The library at Thanjavur is reported to contain such a treasure on ragas that spells out the application and use of various ragas in fighting common ailments. Examples are Raga Kapi, Raga Mohana Bhajan, and Raga Vakulabharanam are relaxation-based interventions for Depression.

According to the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, serotonin production plays a major role in the treatment of depression. Yoga is a natural way to increase serotonin production. The Yoga experts recommend few asanas to fight depression in natural way such as – (a) Adho Mukha Svanasana (b) Paschimottanasana (c) Prasarita Padottanasana (d) Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana (e) Urdhva Dhanur asana (f) Bal asana (g) Salamba Sarvang asana and (h) Hal asana. 

To conclude aging is not just a process but a sensitive process of the mind. Active engagement of all five sensory systems with a learning potential will be the key to facilitating the aging process holistically.  The Brighter Minds RESTART program offered at CognitiveGain is a perfect blend of music and yoga along with exercise, nutrition, sleep, novelty, challenge, creativity, and meditation that facilitates one’s self-discovery and self-reflection. 

References 

1. Sanivarapu, S. L. (2015). India’s rich musical heritage has a lot to offer to modern psychiatry. Indian journal of psychiatry, 57(2), 210.
2. Dr. Shambhavi Das (2019). Therapeutic Aspects of Indian Music and Steps to Impart Awareness for Music (Raga). Therapy in Indian Masses. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research Volume 10, Issue 10.