Feeling stressed? Studies have shown that a singsong could be the answer to all that tension in your body. So, turn up the volume and belt out your favourite tunes at the top of your voice!
Not convinced that singing is the answer to all your stress? It is important to remember that stress is a symptom, not the actual problem. So, while the cause of your mental anguish will still be at large after your warbling, your reaction to it will be calmer and you will be better able to cope with the problem. Here are seven ways singing helps you manage your stress reaction.
Singing Reduces Your Stress Hormone
Have you ever heard of the fight or flight response? This is caused by a hormone called cortisol and it plays a key role in keeping us safe in our day-to-day lives. It is also what makes us feel stressed, quickening our pulse and releasing adrenaline into our veins.
A study by the Royal College of Music showed a marked reduction in cortisol after a singing session. The 2017 research tested the cortisol levels of the saliva of a test group and proved that they felt more relaxed once they had sung. This is only true if you are singing in a place that doesn’t make you feel anxious – often performers have higher cortisol levels after singing.
Too much of this is unhealthy, however, and leads to us feeling stressed, anxious, and depressed. It can even weaken the immune system, making us more prone to illness. The act of singing lowers the levels of cortisol in the system creating a healthier balance.
Singing Increases Your Love Hormone
Oxytocin has many roles in the body, but one of them is to reduce stress and anxiety levels in the body. It also plays a part in bonding with others and social acceptance, which is especially important in group singing situations. A study by Western Michigan University showed that singing has a direct impact on increased levels of oxytocin, making it a key tool in the fight against stress.
Want to boost that oxytocin blast further? Move to the beat! Singing and dancing in tandem will rocket your oxytocin sky-high!
Singing Tickles Your Vagus Nerve
Someone getting on your last nerve? Make sure it’s the vagus one and all your stresses will disappear! Positioned at the back of the throat, it’s connected to your vocal cords and has a role in setting your heart rate and breathing speed. When you are stressed, your heart rate speeds up, and you tend to breathe with shorter, shallower breaths. When you sing and stimulate that vagus nerve, your heart rate slows down and you can take better-quality breaths. This helps you feel calmer and less stressed.
Singing Distracts from Your Problems
To sing properly, your whole body has to get involved. Humming along to a tune doesn’t have the same effect as trying to learn the words and get the tune right. It takes concentration and patience, which can be a great distraction tool. You don’t have the mental space to be stressed when you are singing – there’s too much else going on!
Singing Reminds You That You Are Not Alone
Whatever it is that is causing you stress, chances are someone else has been through it too. Sing your heart out to a song that resonates with your situation, and you instantly feel less isolated and therefore less stressed.
Singing about your problems also helps you recognize and own your feelings so that you can better cope with the stress that arises because of them.
Singing Releases Endorphins
Just like exercise, singing forces us to breathe deeper and get the heart pumping which makes it an aerobic exercise. This is great for your overall health, but it also means it releases the same endorphins you get from exercise. Endorphins are the feel-good chemicals that make you happy, combating stress with the most powerful antidote there is.
Singing Increases Your Social Opportunities (If You Let It)
There are so many ways to use singing to boost your social prowess. Introverts who struggle in social settings are always welcome in community choirs, while singing lessons are for everyone, helping to boost confidence and encourage social interaction.
Singing is one of the best stress relievers available and is an option for almost everyone! It’s completely free, you can do it anywhere (depending on your confidence levels), and you don’t even need to be good at it! If you want to feel, calm, relaxed, and carefree, bust out a tune and become tension-free!
If you would like to take your singing practice to the next level, so that you can really beat stress, then contact us today. We will help you make the most out of every single note.
Tags: How to practice, singing technique, vocal tips, vocal advice
FAQs
Singing lowers cortisol and relieves stress and tension. Studies have shown that when people sing, endorphins and oxytocin are released by the brain which in turn lowers stress and anxiety levels.
How can singing reduce stress? ›
Singing lowers cortisol and relieves stress and tension. Studies have shown that when people sing, endorphins and oxytocin are released by the brain which in turn lowers stress and anxiety levels.
How can music help reduce stress? ›
Upbeat music can make you feel more optimistic and positive about life. A slower tempo can quiet your mind and relax your muscles, making you feel soothed while releasing the stress of the day. Music is effective for relaxation and stress management. Research confirms these personal experiences with music.
What are the benefits of singing? ›
Singing releases endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in the brain. Singing also promotes deep breathing, as you need to take deep breaths and control your breathing. In fact, singing is an aerobic activity, which means it gets oxygen into your blood, improving circulation and it boosts your mood.
Why does singing make us feel better? ›
One of the most significant singing health benefits is its ability to release endorphins, the hormones responsible for making us happy. Scientists believe this happens as it promotes socializing and self-expression — both of which can factor into better well-being and reduced stress.
Does singing help your brain? ›
By increasing blood flow through the body, singing also encourages the brain to release feel-good chemicals such as endorphins, and helps to strengthen neural pathways and increase neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to change and adapt to new experiences).
Why does singing relax me? ›
Relieves stress
A 2017 study measured the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, in participant's saliva before and after they sang. Researchers in that study found that the amount of cortisol was lower after singing, an indication that people felt more relaxed after they'd belted out a tune.
What sounds reduce anxiety? ›
The sound of gentle rain, flowing water, and soft wind with chirping birds can create a serene atmosphere. In addition, Native American, Celtic, Indian-stringed drums, and light jazz are proven to be relaxing and can help you wind down after experiencing high stress.
How does music help mental health? ›
Listening to music isn't just enjoyable—it's good for you, too! Research has found that it can help your brain process information more efficiently, increase your ability to cope with stress, and even help jog your memory.
Does loud music relieve stress? ›
Loud music relieves stress
The sacculus (pronounced as sack-you-less) can be found in the inner ear. It's special because it has direct connections to pleasure centers in the brain. It releases endorphins when stimulated by loud music, so listening to loud music is essentially self-medicating.
Singing is just one of the many activities that is classified as a mindful past time, so the next time you're feeling stressed out, try a rendition of your favourite song. Singing releases endorphins which are feel-good hormones that can help reduce depression.
Why is singing powerful? ›
The variations in pitch and different voice qualities involved in singing tend to offer an opportunity to feel and express emotion more acutely than we might when we speak. The long, controlled exhale we tend to use when singing helps to re-regulate and soothe an over- or under-stimulated Autonomic Nervous System.
Why is sing good for you? ›
Singing increases poise, self-esteem and presentation skills. Singing strengthens concentration and memory. Singing develops the lungs and promotes superior posture. Singing broadens expressive communication.
Does singing help your lungs? ›
Singing long phrases helps you lengthen your outbreath to empty your lungs. This helps to reduce the amount that you use muscles in your neck and shoulders when you take your next breath in. This saves energy and makes breathing more comfortable.
Why do I sing when I'm stressed? ›
The simple act of singing can regulate our heart rate and calm down our nervous system.
Is singing good for your heart? ›
Other studies have also shown that singing can improve both heart and lung function. It has the potential to strengthen chest-wall muscles as well as improve heart function and heart rate variability.
How does stress affect singing? ›
As singers, we tend to manifest stress in our voices—the stress of work demands, finances, arguments, feelings of being “not good enough”, the list goes on and on… all these things cause excess muscle tension around the larynx (aka your “voice box”).
Does singing calm your nervous system? ›
Singing and laughing can both stimulate the vagus nerve, the main nerve in your parasympathetic nervous system, which can help you feel relaxed. Singing and laughing also increase your intake of oxygen, which can help with improving energy and mood.
How does singing help emotional development? ›
Singing can help children develop emotional skills
When children sing, they use their whole bodies to express themselves. This can help them to better understand and control their emotions. Singing can also help children to feel more confident and secure and help them to bond with other children and adults.
How does singing help trauma? ›
Music can express emotions not otherwise easily communicated. It also provides a sense of community and belonging and can help unite divided people and sooth the stresses of everyday life. Playing musical instruments or singing has a number of therapeutic benefits to trauma-affected children.
