Ifyou ever have the desire to break out into song—in the shower, in the car, may-组卷网

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If you ever have the desire to break out into song—in the shower, in the car, maybe at your neighbor’s karaoke night—you should embrace it whole-heartedly. This ancient art not only makes you feel good, it can also improve your well-being, reduce your feelings of pain, and even extend your life.

Using your voice to sing, rather than simply carryout a conversation, offers unique benefits because singing affects our bodies. Also, studies link singing with a lower heart rate, decreased blood pressure and reduced stress according to Patricia Preston-Roberts, a music therapist (治疗专家). (1)________

Singing, particularly in a group, seems to benefit the elderly particularly well. As part of a three-year study examining how singing affects the health of those fifty-five and older, a Senior Singers Chorus was formed by the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. The seniors involved in the chorus, as well as seniors in two separate arts groups about writing and painting, showed significant health improvements compared to those in the control groups (控制组). Obviously, the arts groups reported thirty fewer doctors’ visits, fewer eyesight problems, less depression, and less need for medication. (2)________

Even lead researcher Dr. Gene D. Cohen, director of the Center on Aging at George Washington University, was surprised at how big an effect the seniors’ arts participation had on their health. Cohen said, “The average age of all the subjects was eighty. This is higher than life expectancy. So, if an effect were to be achieved, one would ordinarily expect to see less decline (下降) compared to the control group. The fact that there was so much improvement in many areas was the surprising factor.” (3)________ The seniors also noticed health improvements and they reported feeling better both in daily life and while singing.

The part of the brain that works with speech is different from the part that processes music. “People seem to enjoy doing something jointly with other people. There are a lot of facts that being socially involved is good for people with dementia (老年痴呆).” Ballard said.

The arts are showing up as a treatment tool in hospitals across the country. (4)________ If you are thinking of volunteering, singing at a hospital may be a good choice—not only for the patients, but also for yourself.

【小题1】In the first paragraph, the author ________.