Health Benefits of Singing
More than just an activity for entertainment and fun, singing is also an excellent activity that can help boost health. In fact, several studies have explored the relation of music and singing to health and healing. These studies have been performed cross-culturally in various generations, and majority of them held the same conclusion-that music and singing have a profound effect on health, both the mental and the physical levels.
One notable benefit of singing, as discovered by scientific studies, is its capability to reduce stress and pain. Physicians who incorporate music therapy in their practice claim that the activity helps lower the heart rate, blood pressure, and stress in patients suffering from a variety of physiological and psychological illnesses. In addition, singing among seniors has also been found to have a significant impact in the improvement of health and quality of life. A study that examined the impact of music on the health of the elderly members of a chorale group showed that the arts group's members experienced fewer eye sight problem, less depression incidence, and fewer fall and injuries. The seniors also reported that singing makes their daily life greater, their breathing easier, and their posture better.
Meanwhile, another health benefit that singing was proven to provide is improvement of the immune system. Another professional study found that the school's chorale members have an enhanced immunity against diseases. This is characterised by increased level of cortisol and immunoglobulin A in the singers' blood, an effect that cannot be achieved by listening to music alone.
So whenever you feel the desire to break out into a song, do it whole-heartedly. Doing so will not only make you feel good but enhance your well-being as well.
