Did you know that there are a variety of health benefits of singing? [1] The thought of singing can bring up a variety of feelings for a person. For some people, singing is something that they enjoy. Or at least singing has been enjoyable to them in the past. Whereas for other people, singing can bring up feelings of fear, anxiety, and insecurity.

In this post, I will describe some of the health benefits of singing. As well, I’ll offer tips for feeling safe and comfortable singing even if singing has been hard for you to do in the past. This is because I believe that the voice is a powerful tool and instrument for health and well-being. It is this belief that inspires my desire to support people in discovering and uncovering their voices.  

Whole Health Benefits of Singing

When referring to the “whole health benefits of singing, I’m referring to 5 domains of health. These domains are physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual. As a transpersonal music therapist and counselor, I believe that all 5 of these domains contribute to overall health and long-term well-being. By experiencing benefits in these five areas, vocalizing can help you to become your authentic self.

Singing and Physical Health

Singing has a variety of benefits that affect our physical health. Below are a few ways that singing can improve one’s physical health and function. Because of how our bodies and minds are connected, some of these physical benefits have an influence on our other areas of health.

Breathing

Breathing is foundational to singing. Perhaps not surprising then, singing can help enhance or maintain respiratory health. [2] That is because singing involves deep breathing, which includes sustained exhalations. Music therapists have often used singing to help people with respiratory illnesses, such as COPD. It’s even thought that singing could be a beneficial treatment option to those with long COVID. [2] The act of singing can make breathing exercises more enjoyable and motivating.

Stress Relief

Because of the breathing involved with singing, singing can also provide some stress relief or relaxation benefits similar to the breathing exercises that are often used in therapy. [3] Cortisol levels can drop with singing [1]. As well, singing releases endorphins. [1] Further contributing to the stress relief benefits of singing, singing can stimulate the vagus nerve, which also has a soothing, self-regulating effect.

Speech

Speech is another area that singing can benefit. For example, a person with aphasia after a stroke could regain speech through singing. [4] The reason for this is because music involves the entire brain, and singing can bypass those areas that had been affected by the stroke. 

Likewise, the speech of a person living with a neurodegenerative disease like Parkinson’s can also be positively impacted by singing. [5] The reason for this is related to the breath support and vocal skills gained through singing. These things can help develop or enhance the muscle strength and vocal production needed for being heard when speaking.  

Singing and Emotional Health

Singing can help us feel good emotionally because of how it can reduce feelings of stress. However, the act of singing can also be cathartic and serve as an emotional release of sorts. This release can be the release of tension, anger, sadness, or an expression of joy and belonging. When singing music that you find to be enjoyable, you can have fun. Whereas singing a song that touches you can cause you to feel and express sadness, love, or care. There is power in using your voice to express emotion through sound and/or through lyrics that move or inspire you.

Singing and Mental Health

In terms of singing and mental health, studies show that there are different ways that singing can improve a person’s mental health and mood. A 2018 study looking at bereaved individuals found that singing reduced feelings of depression and improved self-esteem. [6] Singing can also decrease a person’s feelings of anxiety. That is, as long as the person isn’t feeling anxious about singing. [1] This, I think, speaks to the importance of having a healthy relationship with yourself and your voice.

Singing and Social Health

As humans, we need relationships in our lives. Because of this, part of the mental health benefits of singing comes from the social aspect of group singing. [7] Singing in a group leads to bonding and the release of oxytocin. [8]

When singing with a group, not only are you engaged in a social activity with others, you’re also creating something with others. Singing in a group, whether in unison or with harmonies, can help you feel good. Your voice has a part to play. It can help you feel like you belong because your voice truly matters.

Singing and Spiritual Health

This area is more subjective and perhaps esoteric, but I firmly believe in the importance of this health domain. There’s reason to believe that singing with others can contribute to spiritual well-being and expression. [9] While the exact terminology a person may use to describe it, music can lead to experiences of transcendence. Transcendent experiences can help us feel and discover more meaning and fulfillment in our lives. I believe that having these kinds of experiences is important as we face a variety of existential challenges that can make life feel meaningless at times. 

How To Experience The Benefits of Singing Yourself

So now that you know some of the ways singing can benefit your health, you might be wondering how you can experience these benefits yourself. In pre-COVID times, options would be easy to find because there would be several ways to experience the health benefits of singing. Community choirs, community jams and song circles, and church choirs were all happening regularly for those interested in singing with a group. Likewise, for those looking to sing alone, karaoke and open mics were more common too, as well as in-person private voice lessons.

While COVID has led to some changes for singing in-person with others, there are still ways that you can experience the health benefits of singing during COVID. Below are tips for those looking to experience the health benefits of singing in a group, as well by themselves.

Experience The Benefits of Singing In A Group

 If you’re looking to sing with other people, I’m happy to say that some community singing groups are starting to come back. In Boulder County, these include:

• The Boulder Chorale and Boulder Chamber Chorale. This year they are anticipating an in-person season. There is an audition process which is happening at the of August. You can learn more here. 
• The Boulder Public Library will be offering an EnChantMent Song Circle in August. You can learn more, including the date and time, here.
• In Longmont, I’ll be offering a new monthly singing group for older adults. On the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11 am-noon, I’ll be leading a singing for well-being group for older adults through the Longmont Senior Center. Our first session is on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. Contact the Senior Center to register.

Safety Considerations for Singing In a Group

Of course, the reality is that we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, which raises special safety considerations for singing in a group. Some recommendations or things to keep in mind when singing in a group at this time are to be:

• Fully vaccinated
• Wearing a mask
• Observing physical distancing
• Singing at quieter volumes (50-60dBA)
• Working in well-ventilated spaces or with proper filtration or air exchange
• Limiting sessions with singing to 30 minutes [10]

Experience The Benefits of Singing By Yourself

However, as I mentioned earlier, singing may feel loaded or uncomfortable to you. Perhaps you don’t want to sing as part of a group. These concerns could be due to COVID or due to a fear of being seen and heard by others.

If this describes your situation, here are some things that you can do by yourself to experience the health benefits of singing:

• Spend a little time singing or toning your voice. You can do this in a quiet place at home or in the shower. The key is to do it in such a way where you can focus on your breath and sound. What can you do with your voice when you’re having fun with it? Notice how you feel when you use your voice without a set goal or expectations beyond having fun or experiencing pleasure. 

• Sing along with a recording. In this instance, you’re creating a group experience for yourself without the in-person group experience. Singing along to a recording, you can sing in unison, explore harmonies, or create your very own part in response to the music. Again, the key is to have fun.

If you find yourself dealing with self-judgment or an inner critic when trying either of these activities, you may find these tips to be helpful.

Safety Considerations For Singing By Yourself

You may have also noticed that I didn’t mention singing in the car. While I don’t discourage singing in the car, I wanted to highlight some focused singing activities that would draw your attention to your breath, body, and voice without the distraction of paying attention to the road. That said, singing in the car can provide some cathartic release in healthier ways than road rage. Just remember that when singing in the car, the priority is always on safely driving if you’re the one driving, not so much on the experience of singing.

Experience The Benefits Of Singing Through Music Therapy

So now that you’ve learned a bit more about the health benefits of singing, you may find yourself wanting to know more about how music therapy could help you. If you’d like to learn more about how singing could be part of your therapeutic process, contact me. I offer a free initial 15-minute online/phone consultation that you can schedule here.

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