Got stress? Sure you do, who doesn’t! Even if our stress is minimal, it’s a good idea to find simple effective ways to deal with it. It might surprise you to know that singing has incredible health benefits. In addition to being a great stress reliever, singing provides several positive outcomes for those that sing compared to those who don’t.
Now mind you, it doesn’t matter if you’re a professional singer or a “shower singer” and it doesn’t even matter if you’re very good at it…simply singing on a regular basis can actually change your brain and as a result lower your stress and tension.
The University of Frankfurt conducted a study on singing. They tested blood samples of singers before and after singing the Mozart Requiem and found that their singing actually boosted their immune system. They found that proteins that functioned as antibodies actually increased significantly after just one hour of singing. These increases in antibodies were not found in subjects that just listened to the Requiem.
Now if that’s not impressive, how about the fact that experts have found that singing on a regular basis can strengthen throat and palette muscles which are the very muscles, when toned and strong can prevent snoring and sleep apnea.
Psychological & Emotional Benefits of Singing
Singing is a natural anti-depressant
Singing releases endorphins , the feel-good brain chemical that makes you feel happy. Also, scientists have identified a tiny organ in the ear called the sacculus, that responds to the frequencies created by singing. The response creates an immediate sense of pleasure, regardless of what the singing sounds like.
Singing lowers stress levels
Making music in any form is relaxing. Singing releases muscle tension and decreases the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in your blood stream, making relaxation more possible.
Singing improves mental alertness
Singing improves blood circulation and also oxygenates the blood stream allowing more oxygen to reach the brain. This improves mental alertness, concentration, and memory. The Alzheimer's Society has even established a “Singing for the Brain” service to help people with dementia and Alzheimer’s maintain their memories.
Other studies have shown that singing on a regular basis has an accumulative effect on overall health.
The old phrase “when the fat lady sings”, is just a funny remark made by Dan Cook, a sports broadcaster back in the 70’s, but depression and anxiety are not funny at all. That’s why singing is not only fun and relaxing but it enables our bodies to release stress and enjoy so many other health benefits as well.
Why is releasing tension and stress important? First, it’s an unhealthy state. Secondly, to be productive and reaching our goals we need to be in our best state of health mentally, emotionally and physically. Thirdly, singing has the ability to create a happy environment where our negative thoughts can be harnessed and actually obliterated during that time frame.
The next time you feel tense, stressed, worried and consumed with negative thoughts….break out in a song!! It doesn’t matter what it sounds like…just belt it out like you’re in the shower and no one is around. Do it for several minutes. You’ll find you absolutely CANNOT think about anything else while you’re singing. And by the way…your size has nothing to do with singing!!
P.S. The historical background on “When the Fat Lady Sings” is as follows: Dan Cook, a sportscaster during the late 70”s took part of a phrase by legendary baseball catcher, manager and coach for NY Yankee’s, Yogi Barra’s, “the game is not over until it’s over and another phrase by Ralph Carpenter, “the rodeo ain’t over until the bull riders ride” and coined his proverb during a basketball game that was “ the game ain’t over until the fat lady sings”. It was said by someone years before, referring to the opera that “the opera ain’t over until the fat lady sings”.
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