585-Does Singing Make You Happy?

Do you love to sing in the shower, in your car, or on a stage? Whether you have the voice of an angel or a cat stuck in a bag, singing may just bring happiness. Tune in today to find out if singing will make you happier. 

 

Transcript:

 

Welcome to Everyday Happiness where we create lasting happiness, in about 2 minutes a day,  through my signature method of Intentional Margins® (creating harmony between your to-dos and your priorities), happiness science, and musings about life. 

 

I'm your host Katie Jefcoat, and when was the last time you belted out a tune? All the singing that came with the holiday made me wonder if singing makes us happy. Research points to yes!

Apparently, there are multiple reasons as to why singing makes us happy. First, let’s talk about the physical benefits. Singing is believed to release endorphins to the brain, which, as you know, is a feel-good mood booster.

Additionally, the act of singing is aerobic in nature; you have to take big breaths to get out all those notes, which in turn introduces more oxygen to the blood for better circulation. Plus, those big breaths help the body to relax physically; breathing deeply is one of the most common relaxation techniques, after all.

Now, let’s talk about mental health benefits. A 1998 study found that singing helped to reduce anxiety and depression. Some believe this is because the art of singing takes concentration; it is hard to think of your woes while singing a happy song. It is seen as a form of meditation where the singer can disengage from negative feedback loops and reintroduce more optimistic thoughts.

Others believe it is the act of learning through singing, such as attempting to memorize the harmony or lyrics, that makes us happy. As we’ve talked about before, studies demonstrate that learning can improve our moods.

Finally, let’s talk about emotional benefits. Those who choose to sing in groups, whether in a choir, in a class, or at karaoke night, experience greater social bonding with the other participants. Those social connections improve our emotional state and can provide long-lasting benefits if we create and keep up with newly formed friendships.

Now, you may be thinking….”Katie, I sound like a cat trapped in a bag when I sing!” No worries; whether you are a good singer or not doesn’t matter. As long as you sing in a space where you feel comfortable, you can receive all the benefits listed above.

So, whether you are the type to belt out a tune in the shower or your car, or whether you want to get up on stage and sing for an audience, do it! It may just improve your happiness.

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Inspired by this article: https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/singing-happy2.htm