A song in your heart

There is something about raising your voice in song that lifts your spirits. You don't have to have a trained voice to sing, only the desire to express yourself through song. The physical act of singing raises your endorphin levels, the "feel good" chemicals in the body. It also raises your levels of oxytocin which helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Singing is a form of exercise in that it oxygenates the body and helps with circulation. The most effective form of singing is within a group. Studies show that singing in a group has a tranquilizing effect. It both soothes the nerves and elevates your spirits. It is not likely a coincidence that more people are participating in group singing than ever before. I have been singing in choral groups since I was in high school. I particularly enjoy singing in larger groups of several hundred singers. There is something about the synergy of the group that is magnified during a performance when over two hundred voices come together as one. There have been many nights when I dragged myself into a rehearsal and felt totally energized when I left. You may not have the desire to sing in a chorus, but that doesn't prevent you from singing in the privacy of your shower or wherever you find it easiest to express yourself. When was the last time you hummed or belted out your favorite tune?