You may not have a beautiful voice as a singer, but you should sing a lot as singing is a good activity. Do you know why singing is good for you?
Singing can reinforce your immune system, reduce stress levels and increase your confidence. This activity also brings a lot of other benefits in physical, mental, and social aspects.
In this article, you will find more helpful information about the benefits of singing. Let’s check it out!
Why Is Singing Good For You?
Belting out a tune is beneficial to you in many aspects. It’s good for your health and makes your social life better as well. Below are details about the surprising advantages of singing.
#1. Lower your stress level
Cortisol is a hormone causing stress in humans. Singing can help you cut down on the amount of this hormone, thereby lower your stress level.
A study conducted in 2017 has proved this effect of singing. The amount of cortisol of participants significantly decreased after they sang.
However, the singing method only works when you perform comfortably. If you feel anxious about your performance, such as in a singing contest, you’ll feel more stressed.
#2. Help treat the dementia
Another mental benefit of singing is enhancing memory.
Many people with dementia like Alzheimer’s disease have their memory faded over time. When they receive treatment by singing, their memory gets improvements.
The patients said that they find remembering song lyrics easier than other words. Besides, when they sing familiar songs, they can recall their forgotten memories.
#3. Help prevent depression
Singing can stimulate the production of endorphins in your body. This hormone will make you feel happy and relieve pain. Thus, singing can help you enjoy life more and avoid depression.
Moreover, if you sing in a choir, your pain tolerance may increase. When you sing with other people, you will feel the social connection that listening to music can’t bring to you. This feeling will help you tolerate pain better.
#4. Improve your respiratory system
Is singing good for your lungs? Yes, belting out a tune is beneficial to your respiratory system.
You will need to breathe deeply and control your breath while singing. So, your lungs and other respiratory organs will work more than usual. As a result, the capacity and function of your lungs will get regulated.
However, to get this improvement, you need to breathe in the right way while singing. You can watch this video to learn breathing techniques. Knowing how to breathe will help you sing better and benefit your lungs.
#5. Burn calories
Maybe you don’t know this fact, but singing can help you lose weight. On average, you will torch at least 100 calories for singing an hour.
The number of calories burned changes depending on your size and singing position.
People who weigh more will burn more calories when singing. Sitting to sing will burn the fewest calories. You can stand to sing and dance or make some movements to increase calorie consumption.
#6. Better blood circulation
Is singing good for your heart? When singing, you provide more oxygen to the blood and better blood circulation. Thereby, your heart rate variability will also get better.
Besides, singing has positive influences on your mental health. Being free of stress or anxiety will improve the performance of your heart.
#7. Benefit the immune system
The University of Frankfurt has carried out a study about the effect of singing on the immune system. They tested the blood of a group of participants in two sessions.
In the first session, participants sang in a choir for an hour. But they only listened to music in the second session. The blood test before and after each session showed a difference in the change of Immunoglobulin A.
Immunoglobulin A is an antibody that helps us fight against illness. After singing, the amount of this antibody increases significantly. Meanwhile, no augmentation occurs after the participant listens to music.
This result proved that singing raises antibody levels and reinforces your immune system.
#8. Help you sleep better
Snoring will reduce the quality of your sleep, but singing can help you improve. Weak muscles in the throat and palate are the main cause of snoring.
By singing regularly, you will make these muscles stronger. In this way, you can stop snoring and have a better sleep at night.
#9. Give you a good posture
To sing at your best, you need to stay in the right posture. Generally, you will stand up straight with your chest out and shoulders slightly back. Over time, you will get used to staying in a good posture all the time.
#10. Enhance your confidence
Performing in public makes many people feel nervous. But you can sing for your friends and family first and listen to their feedback.
In this way, you can build up your confidence gradually. Speaking, singing, or making any performance in front of a crowd will no longer be difficult for you.
#11. Broaden your relationships
Another social benefit singing can bring to you is broadening your friend’s circle. When singing in a group, you strengthen your current relationships and have chances to meet new people.
Whether you are a choir member or just have karaoke sessions with friends, singing will create a social connection. This activity creates an intimate atmosphere and brings everyone closer to each other.
How To Keep Your Vocal Health
Although singing is good, you shouldn’t abuse it and sing too much. Oversinging will cause damages to your vocal cords.
Vocal cords get damaged when you sing at high volume for a long time or try to reach high notes beyond your ability.
Common problems with your vocal cords are hoarseness and voice change. If worse, you may get your vocal cords torn, laryngitis, or loss of voice.
Treatment for damaged vocal cords will take quite a lot of time and money. So, you should follow the tips below to protect your vocal health.
#1. Drink enough water
Keeping yourself hydrated all the time is an effective way to keep your vocal cords healthy. If you don’t drink enough water, your throat will be dry and vocal cords will be more prone to injury.
Thus, you should drink water frequently and always take along a water bottle. Besides, it’s better to drink warm water because cold water may cause a sore throat.
Taking a cup of warm water with some honey every morning will help your vocal cords stay healthy. You should also stay away from caffeine and alcoholic drinks as they are harmful to your voice.
#2. Humidify your space
You should pay attention to the moisture of your home because it can affect your voice.
As we mentioned above, breathing is important when singing. So, if the air is too dry, you will have some difficulties in taking a breath.
To deal with this issue, you can set up a humidifier in your home to get the proper humidity.
#3. Sleep enough
Lack of sleep will fatigue your entire body, including your vocal cords. So, getting enough sleep is essential to keep you a good voice.
Before going to bed, don’t take any caffeine and use smartphones or watch TV. You can take a bath, read your favorite book or do some gentle yoga to sleep better.
#4. Know your singing ability
Trying to strain your vocal cords to sing is the fastest way to damage your voice. You should know your singing ability and avoid oversinging.
It’s better to sing songs suitable for your vocal range. Don’t try to reach impossibly high notes or sing too loudly.
Moreover, you should stop singing and give your vocal cords a rest when feeling any strain. Singing with a hurting throat will cause severe damage to your voice.
#5. Remember to warm-up
Warming up your voice is a recommended step before you sing. This action will help stabilize your voice as well as keep it from damages.
You may not need to warm up when belting a tune under your shower. But before a karaoke session or big performance, doing some voice warm-up exercises is necessary.
#6. Sing from your diaphragm instead of your throat
Another way to protect your vocal health is by singing from your diaphragm.
Most amateur singers often sing with their throats. In this case, the vocal cords will quickly get tired, and you won’t sing well.
The right way to sing is by taking advantage of the breath from your diaphragm. Your voice will be stronger, and there will be less strain on your vocal cords.
You can learn this singing technique through video tutorials or hire a vocal coach.
#7. Have a proper diet
Spicy, acidic foods or dairy products are unfavorable for your singing voice. Also, you should pay attention to your allergies to avoid these foods.
Vegetables, fruits such as melons, and unsalted crackers are some foods for your vocal cords.
#8. Don’t smoke
Smoking will bring a lot of toxic substances to your vocal cords. Your voice will soon change or even get lost if you smoke frequently. So, to stay vocally healthy, it’s necessary to avoid smoking.
Final Words
We hope that by this post, you know why singing is beneficial to you. Because of the numerous benefits of singing, you should frequently sing no matter how you sing. Yet, it’s necessary to pay attention to your vocal health and protect it well.
Thank you for reading!
