Can singing in a choir improve your wellbeing?

By Tanya Lawrence - Musical & Creative Director.

Humans have instinctively known singing is good for them for thousands of years. Recent studies have shown that getting physically involved with music has far greater benefits than simply listening to it.

Singing can be a great mood elevator as it releases feel good chemicals in the brain called endorphins. Whilst your singing the words of a song, you can't be thinking about problems so your mind gets a holiday from stress. So we could call it musical mindfulness.

The deeper breathing needed to sing helps draw oxygen into the blood and causes better circulation, so it's counts an aerobic activity.

So even without taking lessons or joining a choir, everyone can benefit from regular singing. Just turn on the radio and join in with the artistes as you work around the house, in your shed, wherever you happen to be. Better still, stop doing whatever you're doing and just sing for the sake of it for a few minutes. Taking that ten minutes singing time, just for you could pay dividends in terms of lowering anxiety levels and lifting your mood.

For many people who experience depression and low self esteem, joining a choir can be a confidence booster like no other. The very act of taking some control over the sound you make, alongside others can restore a sense of calm and order to a frazzled mind. Again, concentrating on the music can create a mental haven from thinking about the problems and challenges you may have in other areas of your life.

The important thing here is to remember it's a  choir rehearsal and not a therapy session. Leave your issues outside the rehearsal room and immerse yourself fully in the musical and learning experience. Let the music itself be the therapy during your lesson.

Take that into your daily life by setting aside 15 minutes a day to practice what your musical director has suggested for the week. Let everything else go, just for fifteen minutes. Don't worry if it takes you a couple of weeks to figure out what time of day is best for you to practice. Experiment until you get that right. Then stick to it. Consistency is key. Even on days when you don't feel like it, turn up for  rehearsal, do your practice and slowly but surely, the positive results will come.

Remember, you're not doing this to prove anything anyone. You're not doing it to win a contest. You're not doing it to improve your business or get promoted at work. You're not doing it to fix a relationship. You're doing this just for you. Happy singing!

Singing in a choir can make you feel good!

(If you'd like to find whether singing in a choir is for you, please follow Women Rockin' Harmony Choirs® Blackpool on our social media platforms; if you're interested in joining us,  please sign up to our mailing list for more information.)