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Cortisol decrease -

The level of cortisol in people’s mouths is lower after singing. This hormone is what makes us feel stressed.

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Alone or in a group -

The level of cortisol in the mouth decreases whether people are singing alone or in a group.

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It only works in a stress-free environment -

However, the level of cortisol doesn’t decrease after singing if the person is in a stressful environment.

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Increased immune system -

Singing may increase your immune system and make your body better able to fight off disease.

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Immunoglobulin A -

Singing increases the levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that helps you fend off infections and disease.

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Other stress hormones decrease -

Even just singing along with music, as well as simply listening to it, reduces other stress hormones.

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Endorphins -

Singing in a big or small group makes the body release endorphins.

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Pain decrease -

Singing, as well as drumming and dancing, releases hormones that decrease pain in a way that just listening to music doesn’t.

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Social connection -

The decrease in how much pain we experience caused by singing is in some way connected to a connection with other people.

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Breathing technique -

Because to learn how to sing in a choir one must learn certain breathing techniques, it can affect how people breathe when they’re not singing too.

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Prescribed to help snoring -

When people improve their breathing when they’re conscious it can decrease the amount that they snore at night. Singing in choirs has been prescribed for snoring.

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Managing other respiratory issues -

Snoring isn’t the only way that singing helps the respiratory system–it is also helpful in managing the symptoms of many conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), asthma, cystic fibrosis, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and quadriplegia.

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Children -

When you sing with other people, you’re likely to form a bond with them, much like you would if you were on a sports team. Children who are part of singing programs are likely to feel a strong sense of engagement and inclusion.

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Dementia -

Incredibly, singing is helpful to people who suffer from certain types of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

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Recalling old memories -

For instance, singing certain songs can help them to remember certain times in their lives.

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Emotional pain -

Singing doesn’t just decrease how much physical pain people feel–it also helps people deal with emotional pain.

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Self-esteem -

As people learn to sing better in a choir, like with most types of learning their self-esteem improves.

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Mood, well-being, and belonging -

Singing in groups has been shown to improve people’s mental health, sense of well-being, mood, and feeling of belonging.

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Speech -

Singing has been shown to improve people’s ability to speak. Singing can help people with a stutter speak more fluidly, for example.

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How speech is improved -

It helps by activating many different areas of the brain, helping people to pronounce words better, and improving rhythm.

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Neurological conditions -

It can also help people who struggle with speaking due to neurological conditions like autism, Parkinson’s disease, and aphasia following a stroke.

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Music therapy -

Singing is utilized in music therapy, which is an entire world of science amongst itself.

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Other health benefits -

Music therapy offers benefits like improving respiration, lowering blood pressure, improved cardiac output, reduced heart rate, and relaxed muscle tension.

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Try it wherever works -

To practice singing, it’s very simple. If you don’t want to be part of a choir, just hop in the car and take a drive. Just you, the road, and the radio. Of course, that's just one example.

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Try the shower -

Try singing in the shower. It’s such a cliché, but it makes you feel good and improves your health too.

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Try a teacher -

You could book a lesson with a singing teacher if you’re not comfortable enough to start by yourself. You certainly will improve. 

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Suitable for any age -

The best thing about singing being amazing for our mental and physical health is that almost anyone can do it.

Sources: (Healthline)

See also: How being kind is good for our health

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