It’s absolutely no secret that singing is good for both our mental and physical health. It can help improve everything from the way we breathe to our posture and even our mood – but what are some of the other health benefits of singing?
Strengthening our immune systems
Yes, it’s true! Popping along to choir (especially in these chilly winter months where coughs and colds are everywhere) can help keep your immune system nice and strong, helping you fight off those pesky winter illnesses. The University of Frankfurt conducted research where they discovered that singers had higher levels of antibodies in their blood after just one hour of singing – how about that for a little health benefit?!
Improving our posture
If you’ve ever tried to sing while you’re slouching, you’ll know how tricky it is. When we sing, we naturally tend to straighten our spines, open our chests and pull our shoulders back, which is much better than the lazy postural habits most of us fall into every day. Improving your posture improves your singing, as it opens up your airways and improves your breathing, and the more you sing, the better your posture will be. It’s a win-win!
Managing asthma
Singing makes you focus on controlling your breathing, and lots of people with asthma (including our very own choir leader, Vanessa) find that singing really helps manage their condition. If you have asthma, regulating your breathing can help a lot, and singing forces you to do just that. As long as you have your inhaler handy, you should be absolutely fine.
Reducing anxiety
One of our members, Kayleigh Tanner, wrote a few months ago about the amazing effect joining Soul of the City has had on her anxiety, and many other choir members came forward after the post was published to say that they’ve experienced the same benefits. Again, regulating your breathing can help keep anxiety and panic attacks at bay (it’s all about that breathing!), and it’s a really feel-good activity that can help lift your mood. The buzz in the room during every SOTC rehearsal is a great example!
Lowering stress levels
If you ever belt out a bit of Tina Turner in the shower, you’ll know that singing is an incredible stress reliever – so carving out some time every week where you can just let loose and have a sing is massively beneficial for your stress levels. Singing reduces cortisol (the stress hormone), and it’s a brilliant way to forget about real life for an hour or two and focus on doing something for you.
Helping with sleep
Did you know that singing is thought to help with certain sleep disorders? It helps to strengthen the throat muscles, which can help reduce snoring and sleep apnoea. If it takes you a while to nod off, singing can also increase sleepiness, so sing your little heart out if you want a good night’s sleep.
Boosting our confidence
The last one is a goodie! So many people believe they can’t sing, but after just one choir session, they quickly realise that they totally CAN! It’s a real rush when you stand up and sing for the first time, and as you improve week after week, it just feels better and better. It’s not even just about singing – it’s about learning a new skill, spending time with lots of lovely people and doing something for pure enjoyment.
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