Breaking into song exercises much more than just your vocal chords

Fancy an alternative to an intense session at the gym? Well, there’s always a nice brisk walk along the canals, or maybe an energetic cycle in one of Brum’s beautiful parks? Or how about a sing-song?  No really, there’s a lot of evidence that singing is very good for you. Whether it’s singing at a concert, in the shower or while sat at traffic lights it exercises those vocal chords – and that delivers a number of health and general well-being benefits.

Here are just a small number of ways singing can improve your lifestyle… 

Stronger and more toned body

Singing can be of huge benefit to your heart and circulation by improving your aerobic capacity and decreasing muscle tension. It also improves posture and if you sing regularly you’ll be consistently exercising the mouth area, so facial muscles are toned up too. 

Stress busting

Singing doesn’t just have a positive impact physically, it can also increase a person’s self-esteem and confidence as well as being a useful stress reducer. Researchers at a leading university in Sweden found that when people sing together their heartbeats synchronise – giving a calming effect that is as beneficial to your health as yoga. 

Stimulates the immune response

Previous scientific studies at Frankfurt University in Germany have also found that singing helps the immune system, giving it a boost to help fight against disease. Another recent study compared the effects of singing with the effects of simply listening to music and those who sang showed higher levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody your body secretes to help you fend off infections. 

Improves lung function

Because singing involves deep breathing and the controlled use of muscles in the respiratory system, it may be beneficial for certain lung and breathing conditions. 

Better sleep for you – and your partner

Physically, singing can improve your sleep. Research has shown a set of daily vocal exercises can often strengthen a weak throat as well as your palate muscles which are known to be significant causes of snoring. Your partner will thank you for taking up the new hobby! 

Happier outlook

Even better news is the decrease in depression as during singing the body releases pain-relieving endorphins to give a positive boost to mentality. Music itself stimulates specific parts of the brain responsible for concentration and memory. 

Helps you make new friends

OK, maybe not so relevant if you just sing in the shower but why not join a choir? There are hundreds of choirs out there for a whole range of abilities and it’s a great way to make new friends and guarantee that you have a jam-packed social diary. Scientists have actually found that singing groups bond much more quickly than any other social activity group.