© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you smarter -

Playing a musical instrument has been shown to increase important brain functions such as memory and abstract reasoning.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you smarter -

In fact, studies have shown that children who learn a musical instrument do significantly better at school.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you smarter -

So, if you’re looking for a fun way to improve those grades, consider picking up a guitar or even a violin.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you more culturally aware -

As you become more competent, you will want to expand your repertoire.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you more culturally aware -

Branching out is easy to do, since music is a diverse art form with hundreds of genres.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you more culturally aware -

Discovering those genres will help you to explore the cultures in which they originated and better understand the diversity of the world around us.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves your social life -

One of the great things about playing a musical instrument is the opportunity to play with an orchestra or band.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves your social life -

While there are a number of solo instruments, the majority of instruments can be played as part of a group.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves your social life -

So if you’re looking for a great way to meet new people and expand your social circle, take up the violin, trumpet, or even the harmonica!

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument relieves stress -

It has been scientifically proven that playing music lowers our blood pressure and heart rate.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument relieves stress -

Classical music is often thought to have the most calming effect, but any genre will do if classical is not your cup of tea.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument relieves stress -

Picking up an instrument can be a great stress-busting alternative for those who hate exercise.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument gives you a sense of achievement -

As with doing anything creative, playing an instrument is enormously satisfying.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument gives you a sense of achievement -

Whether you've mastered 'Chopsticks' or a Rachmaninoff concerto, nailing a piece that you were unable to yesterday will make you feel like you're on top of the world.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument gives you a sense of achievement -

The sense of achievement felt when playing an instrument can give you a break when other areas of life perhaps aren’t going so well.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument boosts your confidence -

To play an instrument well requires a great amount of self-expression.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument boosts your confidence -

Training and perfecting the art is likely to give you more confidence to express yourself in other areas of life.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument boosts your confidence -

You don't need to play in front of other people for music to have this effect. Simply playing to yourself will make you more comfortable in your own skin.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you more patient -

It is no secret that playing a musical instrument requires dedication.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you more patient -

Unless you are a Mozart-esque prodigy, perfecting the art will take months, if not years, of regular practice and repetition.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument makes you more patient -

Learning to be patient and stick at something when it’s difficult is an invaluable life skill. You’ll feel great when you finally master that piece you’ve been working on for weeks!

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves memory -

Research shows that there are links between learning a musical instrument and improved memory.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves memory -

This is because playing an instrument requires you to use both sides of your brain, which helps to strengthen memory.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves memory -

What better way to combat forgetfulness than plucking out a bass riff or two?

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves your hearing -

Playing a musical instrument requires us to isolate sounds as they occur.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves your hearing -

For this reason, playing an instrument has been shown to improve fine hearing.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument improves your hearing -

Research even shows that musicians are more able to identify particular voices and sounds when there is background noise.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument is fun -

Perhaps the most important reason of all is that playing an instrument is great fun.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument is fun -

Whatever level you’re at, playing a musical instrument is very engaging for the brain and will keep you feeling content.

© Shutterstock

Playing an instrument is fun -

So, what are you waiting for? Ditch the TV and social media and pick up an instrument today!

Click here for instruments you can easily learn and play.

© Shutterstock