Why is singing good for you?

Singing has been shown to improve our sense of happiness and wellbeing. Research has found, for example, that people feel more positive after actively singing than they do after passively listening to music.

The physiological benefits of singing have long been explored. Singing is particularly beneficial for improving breathing, increasing lung capacity, posture and muscle tension. There’s also an increasing amount of evidence that singing releases endorphins, dopamine and serotonin - the chemicals that boost your mood. Taking part in music can even play a role in sustaining a healthy immune system. Regular choir members report that learning new songs is cognitively stimulating and helps with mental alertness, memory and concentration.

Increasing evidence suggests that singing can improve health by expanding our social group. Even if we don’t necessarily talk to everyone in our choir, we might experience a general feeling of being connected with the group. Singing together is a great way to fast-track social bonding.