The Secret Super-Powers of Singing

Singing Super-Power #1: It Fights Anxiety

Deep breathing, in the manner necessary for singing, is naturally therapeutic. When you sing in a choir you are taught to breathe from your diaphragm, which is a deep breathing technique taught widely as an aid for anxiety issues as it allows more oxygen to the brain. So in fact if you sing anytime, in a wholehearted fashion, you are likely to take in more breath than you would otherwise; therefore activating this response. (Which is fantastic as you are treating anxiety using the resources that lie naturally in yourself!)

Singing Super-Power #2: It Makes You Happy – Without Calories

Let’s look at the chemical changes that occur in the brain when you sing. The act of singing releases endorphins (Layton) this is the hormone that gives the sense of pleasure. In simple terms, singing makes you feel good, in the same way that chocolate releases endorphins (but as a bonus it has no calories)!

Singing also releases a hormone that is called oxytocin (Horn). This reduces stress and anxiety and creates a sense of trust and bonding. This is why many people feel a great sense of belonging when they participate in group singing, such as a choir or at a football match or in a church. The oxytocin hormone induces a community, belonging, bonding feeling which is hard to emulate in any other way. This same hormone is produced in pregnancy and aids the bonding of a mother and child.

Singing Super-Power #3: It Reduces Stress

Recent studies have also shown that singing can have an effect on reducing cortisol levels. Cortisol (Horn) is the hormone that makes people feel stressed. This is again increased in effectiveness when groups of people sing together. I imagine that in the case of group singing there is an interaction of all three chemical responses; the release of endorphins, oxytocin which is further increased through the coming together of people and the decrease of cortisol levels. In addition to this, studies showed that when people sang together as a group heart rates would tend to synchronise, further creating a sense of cohesion and togetherness (Frontiers).

It is also possible it may increase dopamine levels – a neurotransmitter related to pleasure and alertness. Though so far this has been observed more in relation to listening to music (McGilchrist), there is an indication that singing, particularly as a group, may induce the same effect, though this is research in progress.