Surprising Health Benefits of Singing
Singing brings immense joy to many people — but did you know that your passion for singing can also have some pretty incredible benefits for your physical, emotional, and social well-being? Whether you sing professionally, in a choir, in the car, in the shower, or simply because you love it, using your voice engages both your body and your mind in some fascinating ways. Here are just a few reasons why singing can be so good for you. Enjoy!
Surprising Health Benefits of Singing
Singing brings immense joy to many people — but your love of singing may also have some pretty wonderful benefits for your physical, emotional, and social well-being. Whether you sing professionally, in a choir, in the car, in the shower, or simply because you love it, using your voice engages both your body and your mind in some fascinating ways.
Singing Engages Your Body
Singing involves coordinated breathing, posture, articulation, resonance, and physical awareness. Your respiratory system and many different muscle groups work together to create something that ultimately feels like one instrument: your voice. Research into programs such as Singing for Lung Health has also explored how singing may support aspects of breathing control and quality of life for some people with respiratory conditions.
Singing Can Support Emotional Well-Being
Music gives us an incredible way to express things we don’t always know how to say. Singing can provide an emotional outlet while focusing our attention on breathing, melody, rhythm, lyrics, storytelling, and the present moment. Research on singing and group music-making has also found associations with positive mood, enjoyment, confidence, social connection, and aspects of psychological well-being.
Singing Creates Connection
Choirs, bands, lessons, songwriting sessions, performances, and even karaoke can bring people together. Some of the strongest relationships in my own life have been formed through music. Learning to sing can also build confidence. As you understand your instrument better, develop new skills, and become more comfortable expressing yourself, that confidence can extend far beyond the stage.
And Maybe My Favorite Benefit…
You get to discover what your own voice can do. Your voice isn’t supposed to sound exactly like anyone else’s. Learning to sing is partly about developing technique — but it’s also about discovering your own sound, understanding how your instrument works, building confidence in it, and gaining the freedom to express yourself through it. One of my favorite parts of teaching is watching that moment happen when a singer suddenly realizes, “Wait… I can do that?”
Ready to Discover More of Your Voice?
Whether your goal is to perform professionally, prepare for an audition, record your own music, write songs, sing onstage, or simply become a stronger singer because you love doing it, there’s always something new to discover.
Sources & Further Reading
Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S., Hodapp, V., & Grebe, D. (2004). Effects of choir singing or listening on secretory immunoglobulin A, cortisol, and emotional state. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 27, 623–635.Lewis, A., Cave, P., Stern, M., et al. (2016). Singing for Lung Health — a systematic review of the literature and consensus statement. npj Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, 26, 16080.Clift, S., & Morrison, I. (2011). Group singing fosters mental health and wellbeing. Mental Health and Social Inclusion, 15(2), 88–97.