While perusing the interweb this week I came across some scientific articles which claim that singing in a choir can have beneficial effects on your health. HURRAH!
Research by the British Psychological Society asserts that “Singing in a choir can be good for our psychological well-being“. The study asked 375 people about their social activities and the results revealed “statistically significant evidence of higher reported well-being in people who sang with a choir“. So there you have it. Scientific proof that singing in a choir makes you feel better.
You can read the full article here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131204202705.htm
In another article, a new study by Tenovus Cancer Care and the Royal College of Music discovered that singing in a choir for just one hour boosts levels of immune proteins in people affected by cancer, reduces stress and improves mood, which in turn could have a positive impact on overall health. The research included 193 members of five different choirs who gave samples of their saliva before an hour of singing, and then again just after. The samples were analysed to see what changes occurred in a number of hormones, immune proteins, neuropeptides and receptors. The results showed that “singing for an hour was associated with significant reductions in stress hormones, such as cortisol, and increases in quantities of cytokines — proteins of the immune system — which can boost the body’s ability to fight serious illness“.
You can read the full article here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160404221004.htm
And if the above isn’t proof enough of the beneficial effects of being a chorister, research by the University of Gothenburg was able to demonstrate that “singing regulates activity in the so-called vagus nerve which is involved in our emotional life and our communication with others and which, for example, affects our vocal timbre. Songs with long phrases achieve the same effect as breathing exercises in yoga“.
Its finally been proved by science – singing in a choir is as good for you as yoga!
And to prove I’m not making this up, you can read the full article here: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130708200153.htm
No wonder us choristers are such a happy, healthy bunch!