When was the last time you caught yourself singing in the shower? What about humming along to a tune that gets stuck in your head? When was the last time your favourite song came on the radio and you couldn’t help but sing along?
We all know the positive effects of music to our brain such as stress reduction and mood improvement, even helping with stroke recovery. But how about singing? There are many health benefits of singing to your mental, physical and emotional health that you may not know. We’ve put together 5 surprising benefits of singing you may not know.
Singing can boost your immune system
Research has shown that singing helps boost your immunity, specifically choir singing. Moreover, singing has been proven to reduce your cortisol level (known as the stress hormone) which helps you feel more relaxed. High cortisol levels are not good for you as it increases your heart rate and blood pressure. By practicing singing, you can lower your blood pressure and reduce anxiety.
Singing is a natural mood booster
Not only does singing help boost your immune system, it also makes you feel more happy and uplifted. Have you noticed any change in your mood after singing? Singing is known to release endorphins, the brain’s “feel good” chemicals. There is also growing evidence showing that people feel more positive after actively singing comparing to passively listening to music. Mood change comes directly from the release of positive brain chemicals such as β-endorphin, dopamine and serotonin. It also releases an anti-stress hormones called oxytocin which can reduce anxiety.
Another research study has found that singing in a group setting makes our heart rates sync up. That explains why choir singing could feel like a guided group meditation. Participants reported to feel more relaxed and calm after singing in a group setting.
Singing improves communication skills
Singing has been proven to enhance social bonding and maintain positive social relationship. Creating social connections is human’s nature and singing can help facilitate a sense of “togetherness”, specifically in a group setting. Synchrony in large group requires emotional connection which results in much faster social bonding among participants. Further research has shown that singing groups and choirs give people a sense of belonging and helps boost their mood.
Singing is a good workout
Singing with proper technique could strengthen your diaphragm, the rectus abdomens, oblique and back muscles. The movement of singing is a good workout which requires lots of different muscle groups on your face which makes it a natural facial workout. Singing also helps with blood circulation due to greater amount of oxygen needed to project one’s voice.
Singing is also great for lung health. A 2016 study has proven that singing has positive impact on the lives of people with lung disease.
Singing helps reduce the risk of dementia
The diagnoses of dementia can have a huge impact on your life in many ways. Dementia could affect your ability to process information and therefore impact your lifestyle. There is currently no cure for dementia but you can live well with dementia.
Research has found that listening or singing to songs can support people who are living with dementia on both an emotional and physical level. Singing, especially group singing, has positive effects on the brain and helps people live well with dementia. Singing in group facilitates a sense of belonging and provides social support with people who are living with dementia.
