Therapeutic Effects of Rhythm and Drumming

Drumming is an ancient and universal technique that is valued for its therapeutic effects and its ability to heal the mind, body and soul. And because of its wordless expression, it allows people to experience life with the heart. It promotes healing, self-expression, feelings of well-being, a stronger immune system and provides an emotional release, particularly for those with emotional trauma. It also provides relief for those struggling with addiction, fatigue, anxiety and other mental illnesses, to name a few. Read on to find out more about the therapeutic and healing benefits of rhythm and drumming and how it could potentially transform your life.

• 1.It boosts your immune system. Drumming can ward off diseases and other viruses and promote good physical health. Barry Bittman, a neurologist and the president of the Yamaha Music & Wellness Institute, conducted a study which showed group drumming increased T-cells that help fight off cancer, AIDS and other viruses.

• 2.It induces relaxation. And reduces anxiety, stress and tension. One study revealed that participants showed a reversal in stress hormones after a one-hour long drumming session. Group drumming in particular is known to help people who work in high-stress occupations. The less stress in one's life, the less likely they are to contract life-threatening diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.

• 3.It provides an outlet for emotional blockages. The more we repress negative feelings, the more it creates tension and blockages in our body. Drumming is a pathway to emotional release, especially for addicts and those who have experienced trauma. The sound vibrations of drumming stimulates and releases negative energy and teachers drummers how to rebuild their emotional health in an effective way. If you find yourself needing more advice about mental well-being, online therapy platform BetterHelp provides an extensive range of free, informative and helpful articles on all things mental health.

• 4.It grounds you in the present moment. Drumming and rhythm is one way to experience flow – a release of the constraints of time and a complete grounding in the present moment. Research has shown that drumming can act as a distraction from pain and grief. It alleviates worries about the past and future and helps the drummer focus on the here and now.

• 5.It is a pathway to greater connection - to yourself and to others. As well as connecting you with like-minded people, group drumming provides a physical, emotional and spiritual way of bonding with people on a deep level. It also provides interpersonal support which can be invaluable, particularly if someone is struggling with a mental illness or an addiction. On an individual level, group drumming can alleviate loneliness, alienation and self-centeredness and provide a way to self-realization.

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Studies have repeatedly shown that drumming has a profound, beneficial and lasting impact on those who partake in it, in all areas of life - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. It improves the overall quality of life, protecting your body from diseases, reducing anxiety and stress, grounding you in the present moment and providing a pathway to emotional release and connection. All in all, drumming creates a space where you can be free to explore restoration and healing - and that is incredibly therapeutic in itself.

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