The Mental & Physical Benefits of Singing
Have you ever wondered why singing your head off in the car feels so good? Or, for that matter, why delivering a stellar solo performance in the shower puts you in a great mood? The benefits of singing are many and in this article, we’ll discuss what they are, and the science to how they work. If you’ve never belted out a tune, whether in private or in front of all your adoring fans at the local karaoke bar, this article will certainly sway you to do so.
Benefits Of Singing | Let’s Get Physical
Immune System Power Up
Research done at the Unversity of Frankfurt suggests that singing boosts the immune system. They arrived at this results by testing choir members after an hour-long rehearsal. The number of proteins that function as antibodies were significantly higher in them immediately after rehearsal, compared to testing them while they were passively listening to music.
A Great Workout
For the elderly, injured and even the disabled, singing can be an ideal workout. Even if you’re healthy, your lungs will benefit from proper singing and vocal warmups, with the caveat that they are done properly of course. Your diaphragm will also benefit from projecting your voice while also stimulating your body for overall circulation. Considering that singing pulls in more oxygen than many other types of exercises, some even believe that singing can increase your aerobic capacity and stamina.
Posture
In order to sing properly, you need to stand up straight and maintain a posture that supports correct breathing. As your chest cavity expands and your shoulders and back align, you’re posture improves. In time, these solid techniques will be second nature, improving your posture with evening knowing it!
Sleep Better
Experts believe that singing can help strengthen throat and palate muscles, which can help prevent snoring and sleep apnea. If you’re struggling with these issues, singing can be the answer you’ve been looking for!
Benefits Of Singing | The Mental
Anti-Depressant
Singing releases plenty of positive endorphins that make you feel terrific and happy. Additionally, scientists have found a tiny organ in the ear called the sacculus, which has a positive response to singing frequencies. This response creates an immediate sense of pleasure, regardless if you’re singing in key or not. Moreover, singing takes your mind off your everyday stresses and creates an escape we all need once in a while.
Singing Promotes Alertness
Singing improves blood circulation and allows more oxygen to reach the brain. This helps promote mental alertness, concentration, and memory. The Alzheimer’s Society had even developed a “Singing for the Brain” program to help people with dementia maintain their cognitive functions.
A Confidence Booster
Though stage fright can be an obstacle to overcome, it is well worth it. Working your way to performing your favorite song on karaoke night can be very rewarding. Receiving applause or just seeing the look on your friends’ faces while you perform can boost your confidence and your happiness!
Communication
Many experts have stated that singing to babies helps prepare their developing brains for language. Music plays an important role in preparing your baby for learning language skills as much and reading and writing does. Apart from singing, if you enjoy songwriting and lyrics writing, this can be a great avenue to self-expression later on in life!
Singing increases your ability to appreciate other singers
Often times, we don’t realize how difficult a craft is to learn until we try to learn ourselves. As you grow from a beginner to an intermediate level, you’ll be looking to experts to further inspire your singing journey, which will give you perspective on how much work and dedication mastery really needs. In the process, you may also stumble across a new music style that will broaden your musical knowledge!
Just Sing It
The benefits of singing are many and go beyond the act of singing itself. All of the benefits mentioned above may take you on different paths and give you opportunities to explore avenues you never would’ve thought possible. You may even take up singing as a permanent hobby or look to make it a living. Whether it’s a pastime or something more, we encourage everyone to try singing! It’s a simple pleasure with so many rewards.
Have you taken a singing lesson recently? If you’re looking for a great place to start, check out our online vocal lesson review of Ken Tamplin’s Vocal Academy!
