Scientists are beginning to take singing more seriously as a form of legitimate medical treatment.Even if you’re completely tone deaf, even if you have absolutely no sense of rhythm or pitch, you should sing anyway. Sing in church, sing to your kids, sing in the shower, sing loudly when you’re stuck in traffic (nobody can hear you anyway). Singing is actually physically and mentally really, really good for you.
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Trouble sleeping? Try staying awake!
It lowers your stress levels
An article in Time explains how singing causes your brain to release endorphins and oxytocin, which counteract stress, and can even lessen feelings of depression. And that’s just for occasional singing. People who sing more regularly have lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Having lower levels of cortisol is not just great for your mood …
It’s also good for your immune system
A before-and-after analysis of the saliva of cancer patients and their caregivers showed increased immune activity correlating to lower cortisol levels in those who had spent on hour a day singing.
It helps you sleep better
Another factor that strongly affects your overall health is the quality of sleep you get. Singing helps with that, too. Specifically, regular singing tones the muscles in your throat, reducing snoring and symptoms of sleep apnea, both of which are common sleep disturbances that can interrupt your sleep cycles, causing you to feel tired even if you think you got a full night’s sleep.
It’s fantastic for your heart
Especially if you sing along with other people. One study found that choir members’ heart rates actually sync up, thus regulating the pace of the singers’ heartbeats and lowering their blood pressure.
Scientists across the world are seeing the evidence, and beginning to take singing more seriously as a form of legitimate medical treatment. It’s free, easy, and as easy as breathing to incorporate into your daily routine. So don’t hold back!
