Drumming Health Benefits and Business Activities.

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Welcome to my second blog post, I hope you’ve enjoyed the last one as an introduction to my website and what I do.

As you may be aware, I have a formal background in Training and Learning and Development Management and with the insight and skills gained in this area I now mixmy old world with my new and bring the world of drumming to company events and activities.

Health Benefits of Drumming

Back in May I was asked to be involved with the Leicester NHS Health Trust’s educational conference on Well Being. The brief was to deliver a post-lunch energiser to keep the 120-strong delegation engaged and ready for an afternoon of ongoing talks and presentations.

After discussing the topics and objectives of the day with the organisers, I brought together 5 or so activities for the 40 minute session that for me make up the ‘benefits of  drumming’. These benefits being physical health, cognitive processing and mental fitness.

I was there to energise the room; I didn’t use any slides –there were more than enough presentations during the day! – just a small drum kit. After a brief introduction and drumming demonstration, the room was soon fully engaged in becoming a human drum kit as well as counting, clapping and shouting “hot cup of tea!” (You needed to be there) over the next 40 minutes. I felt it was also important to talk about the research studies that have been undertaken which define the benefits that group drumming has had. Showing reductions in anxiety and depression through clinical studies as well as the positive and enjoyment that can come from the shared drumming and rhythmic experience.

Have a look at the event in this video taken on the day – UHLConference.

Corporate Drumming Activities Bring Businesses Together.

Even when not defining drumming in a health context I love delivering drum activities for companies either as part of a wider event they’re doing or as a specific tool to bring their team together. Some key points and topics I can cover include.

·     Developing confidence in staff.

·     Facilitate togetherness.

·     Relieve stress.

·     Aid communication.

·     Bring mindfulness.

·     Encourage leadership.

I use the metaphor of drumming and the approach that professional musicians undertake, to build a session in line with any key objectives you have or to present shorter involved sessions that are just for fun.

Contact me here if you’d like to know more about how I can help your team.

The Problem With Alot Of Team Building Activities

I’m not a big fan of the term ‘Team Building’… a team can be built by grouping people together but not necessarily to work together!

I’ve been on few team building events which have included one or all of the following.

·     Some form of competitive element

·     Activities that don’t seem to suit all team members.

·     Introvert team members who are not engaged or confident to get involved.  

·     Extrovert team members who will overrule others and control activities.

·     Leaders and managers distracted by phone calls and emails.

·     Problem solving tasks that suit a specific type of thinking.

·     The same day to day colleagues grouping together and feeling ‘safe’ in their own tribe.

Any of this sound familiar?? Ironically the above pretty much happens in any working day in most businesses, the only difference I’ve often found on a ‘team building day’ is that the bosses are there to take part and remember everyone’s name. Oh, and a free lunch.

Drumming activities don’t include any of the above! (Ok,maybe the lunch).

They’re non-competitive, a great leveller in terms of seniority within the business, coordination challenges can be solved by the individual whatever their natural thought process and people can play for themselves and still be part of a wider drumming circle or group whether they’re outgoing or not.

Even better the boost in endorphins and dopamine from taking part in coordinated group drumming can lead to a great group connection and positive experience where everybody ‘wins’.

Drum Activities Boost Mental Health.

Mental health and staff well-being is very much on the agenda of businesses nowadays - quite rightly - and drumming even at a quite basic level in small groups can provide a fantastic antidote to the day-to-day pressure of work. Leaving colleagues de-stressed,connected as a team and cognitively re-set for the day ahead.

Interested in a short pre-work, post-work or lunchtime group drumming session for your teams...? Contact me to discuss your needs.

Here’s some background on my experience in Training,Coaching and L&D Management. 

So, whilst drummers are generally thought of as the one at the back hitting stuff, we really do have the upper hand when it comes to being the fittest, happiest and healthiest!

Thanks for reading and get in touch if either yourself or your company would like to discuss the benefits of drumming.‍

mattlaceydrummer.com

Cheers,

Matt.

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