Let’ s look closer at my top three healthful reasons for singing.
First, singing helps reduce our stress levels. When I find myself feeling down, I often discover I’ m humming aloud. The scientific explanation is hormone levels. Cortisol and endorphins are hormones produced by the body. Cortisol is a stress hormone, and a 2017 study from Goethe University in Germany showed that cortisol levels drops when one sings alone or in a group. Lowering your cortisol level also lowers your stress level. Endorphins, on the other hand, are produced when we sing, and these feel-good hormones can lower pain.
Second, singing develops a sense of belonging and connection. My mother-in-law, now in her late 80s, finds loneliness to be one of her greatest challenges. I’ m sure this is true for many. Just like participating in team sports, singing in groups develops a sense of camaraderie— a connectedness to the group.
Researchers in the United Kingdom discovered that a“ combination of singing and social engagement produced an ongoing feeling of belonging and wellbeing." Join a group and sing your way to better health. According to Healthline. com,“ Spontaneous, improvised singing causes your body to release this feel-good hormone [ oxytocin ], which may help give you a heightened sense of connectedness and inclusion.”
Third, the German study I mentioned found that singing may stimulate the immune response and possibly reduce pain. Who wouldn’ t want to fend off illness and pain? Immunoglobulin A is an antibody secreted by your body, and higher levels of immunoglobulin A are found when one sings out loud.
So, if you want to feel connected to others, have less stress in your life, or have a stronger immune system, sing your way home at the end of the day. It may improve your well-being and overall health.
Sing Your Way to Better Health
• Take a drive or walk, listening to music and singing along.
• Don’ t be embarrassed to sing in the shower.
• Sing with your grandchildren and make lasting memories.
• Join a choir or chorus in your community.
WINTER 2025 | 27