Our SWAN students have a lot to say about the ways singing helps them, and it can help you too. Here are 10 ways that singing can impact your health, according to research gathered by Healthline.
1. Relieves Stress
Your cortisol levels decrease when you let loose and belt out a tune.
A SWAN teacher said, “They thanked me and said they were much less stressed as a result of the class.”
2. Boosts Your Immune System
Singing produces higher levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody your body needs to fend off infections.
3. Promotes Positive Feelings
Singing in a group releases endorphins, promoting positive feelings and changing your perception of pain.
SWAN Student Jeremiah said, “Music makes me feel happy and excited.”
Logan shared, “Sometimes I feel uncomfortable by myself because sometimes I mess up. It feels pretty great to sing with others.”
4. Develops a Sense of Belonging
Singing in a group builds camaraderie and bonding similar to that experienced by athletic teams.
“I like being here at SWAN camp and playing the instruments with everyone. I like learning all the songs and performing them together,” said Ceevon.
Hailey said, “I like performing because we are all in a group. It helps to be in a group because if I or someone else messes up, they won’t notice as much since they focus on the whole group.”
5. Improves Lung Function
Singing requires deep breathing and muscle control, increasing the oxygen in your blood.
6. Reduces snoring
Singers snore less! Regular singing or playing a wind instrument is recommended as a treatment!
7. Improves Memory
People who have dementia can recall songs better than words.
8. Helps with Mental Health and Mood
Researchers found that participating in singing workshops improves participants’ mental health, mood, sense of well-being, and feeling of belonging.
“SWAN is fun! It helps me when I‘m angry because it settles me down,” said Donny.
9. Helps with Grief
Singing can stabilize depression and give a sense of well-being.
“When I think about something that makes me feel down, music makes me happy and makes me want to dance,” said Milani.
10. Helps Improve Speaking Abilities
The brain stimulation that comes from singing may enable people with an impairment in one part of the brain to communicate using other areas of their brain.
So if you are feeling down, turn the radio on and start singing your heart out or join a chorus and experience the healing a song can give.
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