Music makes you healthy

Manila, Philippines -  With the success of Filipino-Mexican-American Jessica Sanchez on American Idol, people are saying once again that the talent for music and singing must come with her Filipino genes. Music is part of our lives in the Philippines and a number of our countrymen have made us proud in the past by making a notable mark in the international music scene. But even for the rest of us who are not as endowed, it is good to know that music contributes to good health and general well-being. Here are some reasons how:

• Music makes you smarter. Perhaps you’ve heard that infanticipating women like listening to classical music because of the notion that it will make their children smarter. True, the “Mozart effect” was debunked by consequent studies. But studies have also proven that singing and listening to the music that you love sparks neurons in the brain and releases endorphins or “feel good” hormones into your system. The effect of this is that you become energized and alert. If you’re taking an exam, you’ll probably do better than if you are anxious and stressed.

• Singing lowers blood pressure. It makes sense. If you are relaxed, chances are your blood pressure will remain normal Undue stress is one of the primary causes of soaring blood pressure levels. By all means, sing to your heart’s desire if it calms you down. But if someone else’s singing irritates you as “noise,” find yourself a quieter spot so you won’t have to listen. We’ve all heard of the gruesome effects of altercations over songs in videoke joints.

• Singing and music have social benefits. One is never too young or too old to enjoy singing and good music. Singing is a good way to socialize and have fun. 

• Music affects the appetite. Eating fast may lead to more calories consumed. A Johns Hopkins study showed that test subjects listening to slow music ate three mouthfuls of food per minute. When a fast beat was played, five mouthfuls diners were consumed.

• Music goes with good food at the Cowboy Grill. Golden Pizza Inc.’s Cowboy Bar is best known for its live local bands and good food. “We are not just a club, we are a resto-club,” says operations manager Solomon Caasi. “This can be an alternative place where families can get together and dine.”

For clients who prefer to have a private space of their own, some Cowboy Grill outlets, such as that in Quezon Avenue, have function rooms to accommodate as many as 100 diners.

With a menu that includes both local and foreign favorites such as smoky. grilled sisig, crispy pata, the popular Pizza Especiale with an excellent crisp crust, and an excellent Nick’s fried chicken to enjoy with music Cowboy Grill has carved its own niche in the local market. The resto-bar celebrates its 18th year this month.

• Music as a character-building exercise. But more than good food, potent spirits and a place for camaraderie, Cowboy Grill has done its part in helping upcoming musical artists and bands. “We’ve been around for 18 years, so we can readily recognize the good bands, the people with potential to make it big,” says Caasi, as he enumerates some well-known groups.

He explains that a stint at Cowboy Grill builds up an audience base and helps musicians develop the professionally healthy habits of discipline and hard work. “Up to 16 bands audition every two months to be able to play at the various Cowboy Grill outlets. Of these, only two to three bands are chosen.” And certainly, it can be difficult to sustain a musical career without the self-control to refrain from bad habits. Thus, music can be a means character-building for these professionals.

At Cowboy Grill, hard work and the right attitude come with some rewards. “We give our artists support in marketing. We take pride in our home-grown talents,” concludes Caasi.