is playing guitar is good for your mental health?

I've always been pretty good at handling my emotions. I've had some low periods of my life, but I can always rationalize my feelings and work my way out of it. Now, with that said, playing Piano for me is what keeps everything in check and it gets the dopamine flowing, I can't imagine my life without it. Towards the beginning of quarantine I was in a great place, but then of course, my school closed down and I lost my job, but the real kicker was a repetitive stress injury that stuck in my arm soon after, disabling me from playing piano, working out, even playing video games leaving me with nothing but music all day and there were some real tough times for the 3 months that injury lasted. I thought any sort of career in the music field was over for me, but I read a book called The Mind Body Connection which helped me rationalize my injury and mindset towards it and within days of putting it down, my pain was gone and I could play again. I fully recovered and came back feeling even more competent than I did when I left off. I just got accepted to the Crane school of music a little over a week ago, now when I sit down and play I now have a deep appreciation for the luxury of just being able freely play without any discomfort and I just feel so happy while playing. Even if i'm playing the same 4 measures over and over again for half an hour, there's just not a dull moment.

Edited by dougmcauliffe - March 22 2021 at 06:56

SteveG wrote: Playing my 6 string has a calming effect but my bass always makes me agitated.

I'm absolutely convinced it's good for your well-being. I'll pick up a guitar or play the keyboard for a few minutes every day, it takes me away from the world!!

Edited by Ronstein - October 29 2020 at 10:42

gustavowoltmann wrote: We see playing guitar as a form of mindful escapism, a way to create space between an individual and their busy mind. Guitar-playing is beneficial to your overall well-being and mental health in other ways, too, including helping you develop a greater sense of personal achievement. What you say about this?

Edited by moshkito - October 29 2020 at 10:00

^ I love this because it's so damn truthful!

Yes it is.
But it's when you play with other people and form bands that you start having recurring dreams of murdering your band"mates", it gets complicated.

As soon as I saw it my head went to a keyboard and starting seeing the 88 being built in the those ergonomically correct designs of early 2000's computer keyboards.

SteveG wrote: Playing my 6 string has a calming effect but my bass always makes me agitated.

Why does the neck look like it has a bit of a twist to it? Optical illusion or innovative design?

Playing my 6 string has a calming effect but my bass always makes me agitated.

I think gaining/improving an ability is beneficial for the the mind, in most cases. Some say that playing video/arcade/computer games is a waste of time, but this is not true. I think even consuming horror/fantasy stuff is good for coping with the real evils of the world.

Back on topic, I'd say: Yes.