Drumming & Mental Health: The Therapeutic Benefits of Playing Drums
Is drumming good for mental health? It sure as heck can be! When it comes to self-care and maintaining good mental health, we often think of activities like meditation, yoga, physical exercise, or talking to a therapist. These are great, but there's another surprising (and awesome) therapy that has been gaining attention in recent years: drumming! Although, why should it be so surprising? Drumming can certainly be a form of physical exercise. And techniques like using binaural beats to deepen meditation are fairly well-known activities among meditators. Drumming doesn’t have to be just about making music; it's about connecting with yourself and others. In this blog post, we will explore the psychological and emotional benefits of drumming, including stress relief and enhanced well-being.
1. Stress Relief: beat the crap out of stress
Life's demands can often lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. Playing drums can be an outlet to release these pent-up emotions. When you play a drum, you channel your energy into a rhythmic and repetitive motion. This process can induce a state of flow, a mental state where you are fully immersed in the activity, and your mind is free from stressors. The rhythmic nature of drumming can reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in your body, leaving you feeling more relaxed and centered. It can also increase dopamine, the hormone that makes you happy. In 2014, the Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine published a study that found that participants experienced a decrease in blood pressure, blood lactate levels, stress, and anxiety after a 40-minute djembe drumming session.
Playing drums can even benefit you on a cellular level. According to a 2001 study performed by Dr. Barry Bittman of the Mind-Body Wellness Center in Pennsylvania, drumming significantly boosts “natural killer cells,” which are immune system cells that help fight diseases like cancer, heart disease, and many others. Bittman’s research also found that creative musical expression can reverse stress-related DNA switches that have been turned on. Oh yeah, drumming can actual switch off your stress DNA. Crazy!
2. Enhanced Mindfulness: Drumming as Meditation
Meditation is known for its ability to increase mindfulness and promote mental well-being. I am a long-time meditator myself and have long experimented with breathing meditation, visualization, binaural beats, mantras, and many other meditation methods. Drumming can be a form of active meditation. When you drum, you focus your mind on the rhythm and the sensations in your body or the vibrations from the drum. This mindfulness practice can help you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, allowing you to process and release them in a healthy way. Not only that, but breathing to the beat can alter your drumming. Famous and prolific funk/fusion drummer Benny Greb teaches the use of breath while drumming to invent new and creative grooves.
A 2014 study by PLoS One has also shown that repetitive drumming like that used in shamanic drumming practices, along with shamanic instructions, can lead to a decrease in cortisol levels, an experience of heaviness, decreased heart rate, and even dreamlike experiences. The bottom line is, drumming offers a unique opportunity to be in the present moment, helping you escape the worries of the past and future.
3. Emotional Expression and Connection: Drumming in a Group
One of the most significant benefits of drumming is its ability to foster a sense of community and emotional connection. There are dozens of studies that have been published on the mental health benefits of group drumming. Drum circles, where people come together to play percussion instruments, create a shared experience that brings people together. As you drum alongside your newfound band of mindful percussionists, you synchronize your rhythms and emotions. This communal activity can be a powerful tool for self-expression and bonding with others, reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation. It is an activity that humans have been doing for thousands of years.
In 2018, the National Institute of Health found that group drumming has a wide variety of benefits not only for “mental health service users,” but also for their carers as well! In fact, the list of benefits included pleasant physical effects, a sense of control and accomplishment, engagement, increased self-awareness, and improved social wellbeing.
4. Social Health: Helping Kids with Behavioral Challenges
Although much of the focus of drumming research has been on group drumming, all drumming can have positive effects on the mind, even for children with behavioral or emotional struggles. A 2018 survey at the University of Essex found that kids who are facing such challenges benefited from playing drums by experiencing improved motor skills and social health. In the same year, a study by Ruth Lowry and the Clem Burke Drumming Project tested six autistic students and six non-autistic peers to see what effects would result from playing drums twice a week for five weeks. The study found that playing drums significantly improved the students’ motor skills, social behavior, and confidence and reduced hyperactivity and inattention. The effects were more dramatic for the autistic students than their peers.
5. Boosted Self-Esteem and Confidence
Learning to play the drums, even at a basic level, requires practice and patience. As you develop your drumming skills, you achieve a sense of accomplishment and boost your self-esteem. The ability to create music, even simple rhythms, can be a source of pride. This newfound confidence can spill over into other areas of your life, empowering you to take on challenges and embrace new experiences. As positive psychologist Shawn Achor writes about in his book The Happiness Advantage (a great read that I highly recommend), happiness leads to success—not the other way around.
6. Release and Regulation of Emotions
Drumming is a non-verbal way to release and regulate your emotions. Whether you're feeling anger, sadness, joy, or excitement, you can express these feelings through your drumming. The act of hitting the drumhead can provide a cathartic release, allowing you to process and let go of intense emotions in a healthy manner. It sure helps me deal with the stress of the 9-5 workday.
What next?
Incorporating drumming into your life can be a fun and effective way to support your mental health and overall well-being. Whether you choose to drum alone or participate in group drumming sessions, the therapeutic benefits are well studied and proven. Drumming offers stress relief, enhanced mindfulness, emotional expression, boosted self-esteem, and a sense of connection with others. So, the next time you're looking for a new way to care for your mental health, consider picking up a pair of drum sticks and letting the flow state guide you to peace, balance, and downright awesomeness. For a primer on how to get started playing drums, see our blog post, How to Play Drums: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginner Drummers.
Also, check out our DT Drums t-shirts, hoodies, and sweaters geared towards mental health!
