“Singing is of great interest to neuroscientists as it would seem that there is more of the brain over to the processing of music than almost any other activity.” – Dr. Graham Welch, Professor at the Institute of Education

By Henrylito D. Tacio

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer,” said Will Farrell in the film Jon Favreau’s Elf (2003), “is singing loud for all to hear.”

This indeed appears to be sound advice. In fact, if you have watched the film, Buddy the Elf was able to save Christmas because of this. Although the movie is a work of fiction, scientific research indicates that singing holds significant power! In more straightforward terms, singing enthusiastically is beneficial for your well-being!

Singing is defined as “the act of producing musical sounds with the voice and augments regular speech by the use of sustained tonality, rhythm, and a variety of vocal techniques.”

Scientists assert that singing can produce both a calming and invigorating effect on individuals. For instance, it serves as a natural antidepressant. During the holiday season, many people experience depression, particularly those whose loved ones are far, far away.

“Singing is known to release endorphins, the feel-good brain chemical that makes you feel uplifted and happy,” a report stated.  “In addition, scientists have identified a tiny organ in the ear called the sacculus, which responds to the frequencies created by singing.  The response creates an immediate sense of pleasure, regardless of what the singing sounds like.  Not only that but singing can simply take your mind off the day’s troubles to boost your mood.”

In some instances, singing takes away your stress.  “Making music in any form is relaxing,” the report said.  “Singing releases stored muscle tension and decreases the levels of a stress hormone called cortisol in your bloodstream.”

“Singing may release endorphins associated with feelings of pleasure as well as stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is found to alleviate anxiety and stress,” the US news weekly Time said.  Prevention magazine also found out that choir singers, who often report feeling happy and free of significant anxiety, may notice their moods improving when they start to sing.

Singing can be considered a form of exercise as it works the lungs and other parts of the body to protect your voice.  “Singing may lead to a stronger diaphragm and stimulation of circulation due to the greater amount of oxygen needed to carry a tune,” Chicago Tribune reports.

A study done by the University of Frankfurt showed that professional choir members who had their blood tested before and after an hour-long rehearsal displayed a greater amount of antibodies called immunoglobulin A after the rehearsal.

If your partner snores in the bed, advise that person to sing during the day and before hitting the bed.  The journal Sleep Breath published a 2008 study which found that “the prevalence and severity of snoring among semi-professional singers and non-singers indicated that singers scored lower on the snoring scale.”

Experts quoted in an article published in Daily Mail Online believed that singing can help strengthen throat and palate muscles, which helps stop snoring and sleep apnea. “If you’re familiar with these ailments, you know how difficult it can be to get a good night’s sleep!” it said.

Chicago Tribune reports: “Singing strengthens muscles in the airway that can help reduce snoring.  Furthermore, the breathing required to sustain a song may help improve lung function and reduce symptoms of mild asthma.”

Let’s talk about asthma further. The website singerssecret.com offers this bit of information: “Many people spend their entire life breathing only from their upper chest and don’t access the full capacity of their lungs, even if they practice deep breathing exercises.  This is because they haven’t learned to activate their diaphragm which is a thin flexible muscle that sits below your ribcage.  Singing requires you to use this muscle, allowing you to take in much more air as a result and the benefits that you would normally receive from deep breathing are supercharged.

“What this means for people with asthma and other long-term respiratory difficulties is an increase in lung capacity and a freeing of the body’s breathing mechanisms, namely the ribcage and surrounding muscles, resulting in the ability to breathe much more easily.”

Singing may also bring benefits for patients with Parkinson’s disease, according to a news report released by Agence France Presse. Results of the preliminary research conducted by Iowa State University has shown that singing “could improve motor skills as well as the mood of patients with Parkinson’s disease.”

“We see the improvement every week when they leave the singing group,” said Dr. Elizabeth Stegemoller, who presented the findings at the Society for Neuroscience 2018 Conference.  “It’s almost like they have a little pep in their step.  We know they’re feeling better and their mood is elevated.”

Singing also helps those suffering from dementia.  “There’s a huge stigma attached to dementia,” Dr. Chreanne Montgomery-Smith, founder of Singing for the Brain in Great Britain, told Gramophone.  “But singing provides a chance to restore people’s confidence in learning new things.  This confidence in itself, is a powerful protection against the effects of deterioration.”

For those looking for younger skin, don’t think twice: sing!  “The act of singing requires you to take in deeper breaths and as a result your body enjoys improved blood circulation and oxygen flow,” the singerssecret.com explains.  “It is these two factors that are the secret to younger looking skin, but singing also comes with an additional skin saving bonus: facial relaxation and stretching.

Sing out loud during a karaoke session!  In a study of 19,356 men ages 40 to 69, Professor Takeshi Tanigawa of Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, karaoke singing has been associated with a lower risk of stroke and heart disease.  Warning: don’t ever sing, “My Way,” or your life will be shortened!

One possible reason: singing lowers your blood pressure.  Sara Crawford writes in Lifehack: “There have been several case studies that have revealed that singing can decrease blood pressure due to its calming and relaxing effect.  Patients have been able to calm themselves down and lower blood pressure readings when in the hospital by singing hymns.”

Go ahead, sing out loud this Christmas season! 

“Making music in any form is relaxing.”