7 Reasons Why Singing Is The Best Thing You Can Do

You're in your car rocking your voice out to a One Direction hit, or, if you're a 40-something like me, U2 or the Rolling Stones--or better yet, trying to sing a raspy tune like Dylan (especially when in the car with your kids and they wonder how an old guy with such a creepy voice became so terribly popular). Or what about those shower opera folk who like to belt out Puccini? How do you feel when you're doing it? Pretty good, right? 

Did you know that singing is one of the most amazing things you can do for your body and soul? Here are a few:

1. Physical benefits: Singing is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the blood stream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body. It also tones facial muscles and decreases muscle tension.

2. Releases endorphins: I've talked about this in other posts: endorphins are chemicals released in our brains that make us feel good. Singing, in this sense, can have the same benefit of eating a bar of chocolate, but without the calories. As well, with the release of endorphins comes the relief from pain. 

3. Immune system booster: Yes, singing can also boost our immune systems, helping us fight off viruses and disease.

4. Anger Manager: When we sing, we find not only relief from pain, but also anger and depression. The endorphins are rushing through our brains, we're moving to the music, and we're feeling alive. 

5. Increase your social life: Singing with others can form a bond that can do wonders for your social life. Loneliness is linked to all kinds of physical and emotional ailments; when we sing with others, we are enhancing our social bonds, empathy, and feeding off the positive emotions of everyone else. 

6. Longevity: Singing is known to enhance longevity. According to a Harvard and Yale study, choral singing increased the life expectancy of the people of Connecticut. The reason for this result is singing builds a strength of heart as well as emotional well-being.

7. It's Joyful: We all need joy in our lives, and singing, whether in the car, on stage, or in the shower, is one of the best things you can do to live more joyfully. If you have a desire to sing in a choir, join one; if you love singing Puccini in the shower, keep letting it rip; if you get a huge stress relief from work rocking out to Brian Adams in the car, keep rocking. 

The world is a tough place, and we experience daily so much tension in our lives: physical, emotional, social. We've all been given a song to sing, and all we need to do is open our mouths and let it come forth to lighten up the world.