4 Ways Singing Benefits Your Mental Health
Singing has a number of psychological benefits that can positively impact your mental health and well-being. Here are just a few:
Singing reduces stress and anxiety.
A 2017 study measured the amount of cortisol, the stress hormone, in participants’ 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.
There’s a small catch, though: Cortisol only goes down if you’re singing in a place that doesn’t make you anxious. A similar 2015 study tested salivary cortisol levels after a singing performance, concluding that cortisol levels went up in this scenario. Finding a safe and inclusive environment to sing in can help combat the additional pressure and anxiety that can come up in performance and social situations.Singing increases your pain threshold.
Studies have shown that singing can increase your pain threshold through the release of endorphins.
Endorphins are neurotransmitters produced by the body that has a similar chemical structure to opiates (such as morphine). When released in the brain, endorphins bind to opioid receptors, which are located throughout the body and brain and involved in pain perception. When endorphins bind to these receptors, they can reduce the transmission of pain signals, effectively blocking the sensation of pain.
When you sing alone, collectively, or one-on-one with a coach, singing helps to alleviate pain symptoms, thus improving your overall quality of life. Pretty rad, huh?
Singing improves cognitive function.
Come to think of it, singing in itself is an incredibly mindful activity!
There is so much going on in your body and mind when you sing that when you are doing so, you are fully focused on your experience. This allows you to ‘turn off’ your stream of consciousness and live completely in the moment, distracting your mind from negative thoughts, focusing on the sound, the action, the breathing, the feeling and the pleasure of song.
Mindfulness has been shown to have many benefits, including increasing focus and mental clarity. This can be particularly beneficial for my neurodivergent honeys and those who struggle with cognitive disorders.
Singing boosts your mood and confidence.
And it doesn't even matter if you're any good.
When people sing together, a neurochemical called "oxytocin" is released. Oxytocin is a hormone that is commonly associated with social bonding, trust, and positive social interactions. When oxytocin is released in the brain, it can activate regions associated with social reward and motivation, such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, which may help give you a heightened sense of connectedness and inclusion.
Overall, reducing stress and anxiety, giving your brain the resources to be more resilient towards pain, and possessing a clearer mind for better focus and concentration could offer anyone more self-confidence.
Why not give it a try and see how it can help you? Whether you sing in the shower, join a choir, or take singing lessons, there are many ways to incorporate singing into your life and experience its mental health benefits.
Silverman, M. J. (2013). Effects of group singing on effect, cognition, and immune function of people with depression: A pilot study. Journal of Music Therapy, 50(4), 241-260.
Grape, C., Sandgren, M., Hansson, L. O., Ericson, M., & Theorell, T. (2014). Does singing promote well-being? An empirical study of professional and amateur singers during a singing lesson. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 37(5), 1-13.
Fancourt, D., & Steptoe, A. (2018). A longitudinal analysis of the relationship between changes in wellbeing and hours singing in a choir. British Journal of Psychiatry, 212(4), 225-231.
Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I., & Fu, C. H. (2019). A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 107, 1-20.
