I was watching something on U Tube and all the sudden a a post appeared on this topic. It as put on by an acute care for seniors with breathing and memory problems.
The post was from a legit care center and nothing was for sale at the end. The patients all had breathing problems that very degrative. The physical therapist said some recommended give all patients a harp had how to play.
Not one of the patients suffered and further decline in their breathing or memory problems. All seemed to love to make it sound a play a few notes. Again this was not a commercial to sell anything. Each looked forward to the group sessions.
Father time has taken about all of my outside hobbies like flying and baseball away and I started the harp to learn something and I always regretted not playing a musical instrument. I/M/O is it sent from above and I play at least two hours a day, The harmonica has gone a long way to replace some of the sports and outside outing like bird hunting and baseball. Better late than never and only when I no longer have a breath will my harps cease to make any noise. I has kept my lungs healthy and I feel only when you are not ready to get out of bed and do something you enjoy that is fun, you love to do, and get good mental exercise is age an excuse not to be happy.
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Hey @scott4, it seems playing harmonica is increasingly recognised as a way to help with COPD and the like - here’s a piece from a respected UK charity: Harmonica For Lung Health | Asthma + Lung UK.
Certainly seems to help me, too, both physically and mentally.
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Yes I have been reading that there are harmonica programs for those with COPD. Seydel even sells a special harmonica called the pulmonica or something. For myself, after having had Covid last summer and Influenza this Spring (both went for my senior lungs) I used Qigong breathing and harmonica to get my lungs back. very effective and what a great hobby. Thanks for bringing this topic.
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I saw a post on U Tube that showed how well it helped older people with respiratory ailments and memory loss. I got my annual check up and my G P committed on how well my lungs function.
All of the patients in the clinic had either stabilized or improved. An instructor was brought in and all the folks loved playing, For me it has helped fill a void as sports are gone as father time got em. I never played any musical instruments and always regretted it. I can practice for hours and never get bored. It sure beats being outside on a south Texas summer day. Hopefully when I take my last breath there will be a harp in my mouth. Its addictive, especially when you start to make progress,
I woke up a year ago and felt like gasoline was in my throat. Went to the E R and it was covid. A day later the doc ran me off as all symptoms abated. One day and it was over. Glad you are on the mend and enjoying the harp as much as I do.
I think its great mental exercise and as long as a person is able to do what they what and never stop learning age is less of an issue.
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