Play an Instrument

Humans have been making music for thousands of years, but for
Michael Mosley and our volunteer Matthew, the musical journey is
only just beginning. Playing a musical instrument has been shown
to strengthen your memory and lift your mood. It can even reduce
chronic inflammation. Dr Sofia Seinfeld from the Open University
in Catalonia tells Michael why it’s never too late to start
making music, and how it can enhance your cognitive abilities by
activating regions of the brain associated with motor
co-ordination and the processing of emotions. Meanwhile, Matthew
gets to grips with the ukulele to see if he can master a tune and
boost his wellbeing. Series Producer: Nija Dalal-Small Editor:
Zoë Heron A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.