A few years ago, I volunteered to sing in a Christmas Choir in Indianapolis. As soon as the holiday season starts, my heart begins to sing. Listening to Christmas carolers and singing along contributes to my happiness. What can singing alone, singing for others, or listening to music do for you?
My soul felt its worth as we belted out Christmas carols at the Castleton Health Care Center. The joy we brought to the place was amazing, and I was holding back tears of pure joy as we sang beautiful Christmas carols to all that had gathered to hear us—even those that were too ill to come watch but had opened their doors to listen. As difficult as it is to describe, singing for others is a gift that can lift spirits.
Experts claim that music can boost your memory, lighten your mood, reduce anxiety and depression, help with fatigue, improve the response to pain, and even help you get the most out of an exercise routine.
Take it from me; you don’t have to be a great singer to enjoy singing or listening to music. Music often makes us want to move or dance and the benefits of dancing can help your heart rate and blood pressure.
With all the fear of COVID-19 and other cases of sickness, it’s good to know that singing can help us stay healthy. According to research conducted at the University of Frankfurt, singing boosts the immune system. The study tested professional choir members’ blood before and after a rehearsal singing Mozart’s “Requiem.”
The researchers noticed that in most cases, the number of proteins in the immune system that function as antibodies, known as Immunoglobulin A, were significantly higher immediately after the rehearsal. The same increases were not observed after the choir members passively listened to music.
No matter the season, I hope you sing until your heart is content! Here’s to a healthy life filled with music!
