Top reasons singing is good for your health
Singing strengthens your immune system
Studies have shown that the amount of immunoglobulin A antibodies (blood proteins that help fight off sickness) increases in amateur singers after a one-hour rehearsal (Kreutz et al., 2004) [1]. Furthermore, singing in a choir for one hour boosts the level of immune proteins in cancer patients and their caretakers (Fancourt et al., 2016) [2].
Singing is a workout for your cardiovascular system
A study at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden showed that choral singing increased the variability of the singers’ heart rates, which is associated with low blood pressure (Vickhoff et al. 2013) [3]. Furthermore, Health Research UK, a prominent organization promoting heart health in the UK, started a campaign encouraging people to join a choir because of the workout singing gives your lungs and heart (ArtistWorks, n.d.) [4]. Because of the increased amount of oxygen breathed in while singing, some believe it can increase aerobic capacity and stamina (Take Lessons, 2014) [5].
Singing improves mood and reduces stress
Singing has long been touted as a stress reducer, but several scientific studies now prove this to be true! By measuring levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, a hormone that is produced in response to stress, researchers have determined that singing in groups reduces stress (Keeler et al. 2015) [6]. Other studies have shown that singing may release endorphins (hormones that are associated with feelings of pleasure) and oxytocin (a hormone that relieves stress and anxiety) (“The Health Benefits of Singing a Tune,” 2018) [7] The euphoric feeling after running (“runners high”) is in part due to increased circulating endocannabinoids (molecules involved in reward, appetite, mood, memory, and neuroprotection). Singing and dancing both increased endocannabinoids and improved mood (Stone et al. 2018) [8]
Singing improves sleep quality and reduces snoring
In a study comparing the prevalence and severity of snoring among semiprofessional singers and non-singers, singers scored lower on the snoring scale (“The Health Benefits of Singing a Tune,” 2018). This is thought to be due to the fact that singing strengthens muscles in the airway that can help reduce snoring. (“The Health Benefits of Singing a Tune,” 2018) [9]
Singing improves your posture
Singing well requires a focus on how you’re holding your body while you sing. It encourages you to stand up straight, bend your knees and align your feet, knees, hips and shoulders. Bringing awareness to your posture during rehearsals can help bring awareness to how you sit/stand in other areas of your life. [10]
Singing can improve mental alertness
The breathing we need to do for singing promotes circulation and increased blood oxygen saturation, which allows more oxygen to reach the brain and improves your mental alertness. Reading and remembering music can act as memory training to keep your mind sharp. The Alzheimer’s society has even established a “Singing for the Brain” service to help people with dementia/Alzheimer’s maintain memories. Learning keeps our brains active and is also known to fend off depression, especially in older people. [11] [12] [13]
Singing in a group means many new friends
Being a member of a large singing group means meeting many people and making many new friends! Research at Oxford University in the UK reveals that group singing not only helps forge social bonds, it also does so more quickly than other activities, acting as an excellent icebreaker (Pearce et al. 2015) [14]. Increasing evidence shows that social connections are very beneficial to maintaining overall health (Launay, 2015) [15]. The sense of belonging that comes with being part of a group is also beneficial for our mental health. Having a common goal and experience is important to promote the feeling of “togetherness,” and singers’ self-reported group cohesion is even greater than reported in sports teams (Patterson and Blood, n.d.) [16]
Singing in a group can build confidence
Singing in front of an audience natural builds confidence, which has broad and long-lasting effects on well-being, especially when you have the support system of being part of a group. Singing can also improve your speaking voice by teaching you proper breath support and vocal techniques. [17] [18]
Sources:
[1] Daisy Fancourt, Aaron Williamon, Livia A Carvalho, Andrew Steptoe, Rosie Dow, Ian Lewis. Singing modulates mood, stress, cortisol, cytokine and neuropeptide activity in cancer patients and carers. ecancermedicalscience, 2016; 10 DOI: 10.3332/ecancer.2016.631
[2] Kreutz, Gunter, et al. “Effects of Choir Singing or Listening on Secretory Immunoglobulin A, Cortisol, and Emotional State.” Journal of Behavioral Medicine, vol. 27, no. 6, 2004, pp. 623–635., doi:10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9.
[3] “11 Surprising Health Benefits of Singing.” TakeLessons, 2014, takelessons.com/live/singing/health-benefits-of-singing.
[4] “The Surprising Health Benefits of Singing in a Choir.” ArtistWorks, my.artistworks.com/blog/surprising-health-benefits-singing-choir.
[5] Vickhoff B, Malmgren H, Åström R, Nyberg G, Ekström S-R, Engwall M, Snygg J, Nilsson M and Jörnsten R (2013) Music structure determines heart rate variability of singers. Front. Psychol. 4:334. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00334
[6] Keeler, Jason R., et al. “The Neurochemistry and Social Flow of Singing: Bonding and Oxytocin.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, vol. 9, 2015, doi:10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518.
[7] [9] “The Health Benefits of Singing a Tune.” Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune, 14 Dec. 2018, www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/advertising/todayshealthywoman/ct-ss-thw-health-benefits-of-singing-a-tune-20180314dto-story.html.
[8] Stone NL, Millar SA, Herrod PJJ, Barrett DA, Ortori CA, Mellon VA and O’Sullivan SE (2018) An Analysis of Endocannabinoid Concentrations and Mood Following Singing and Exercise in Healthy Volunteers. Front. Behav. Neurosci. 12:269. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00269
[10] Stacy, R., Brittain, K. and Kerr, S. (2002), "Singing for health: an exploration of the issues", Health Education, Vol. 102 No. 4, pp. 156-162. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280210434228
[11] "Choral singing and psychological wellbeing: Findings from English choirs in a cross-national survey using the WHOQOL-BREF." International Symposium on Performance Science. 2007.http://www.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Research%20Centres/ArtsHealth/Choral-singing-and-psychological-wellbeing.pdf
[12] “TakeLessons Live.” TakeLessons, 2014, takelessons.com/live/singing/health-benefits-of-singing.
[13][14] Patterson, Annie, and Peter Blood. “Health Benefits of Singing.” Health Benefits of Singing | Rise Up and Sing, Rise Up & Sing, www.riseupandsing.org/singing/health-benefits.
[15] Launay, Jacques. “Choir Singing Improves Health, Happiness – and Is the Perfect Icebreaker.” University of Oxford, 2015, www.ox.ac.uk/research/choir-singing-improves-health-happiness-%E2%80%93-and-perfect-icebreaker
[16] Pearce, Eiluned, et al. “The Ice-Breaker Effect: Singing Mediates Fast Social Bonding.” Royal Society Open Science, vol. 2, no. 10, 2015, p. 150221., doi:10.1098/rsos.150221.
[17] Cullingford, Martin. “The Health Benefits of Singing.” Gramophone, MA Music, Leisure and Travel, 12 May 2011, www.gramophone.co.uk/features/article/the-health-benefits-of-singing.
[18] Julia Layton "Does singing make you happy?" 2 June 2009.
HowStuffWorks.com. <https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/singing-happy.htm> 12 January 2020