Do you enjoy singing? Maybe you like to sing a quick tune in the bathroom or while doing chores or maybe you just love to sing a song at the local karaoke night. Well, you might be surprised to learn that you are not only having fun, but also helping yourself to stay fit, young and healthy.
healthy lungs
Singing can have a dramatic impact on the lungs and breathing. The physical effort required to sing can improve lung capacity. Singers learn to use deep breathing and develop strong muscles in the torso and abdomen. The various benefits of good breathing include better airways and sinuses, better mental alertness, and better posture. Good breathing can also help relaxation and sleep. Breathing techniques learned through singing can help us stay calm. The increased oxygen in the body helps in many ways.
a good workout
It has been said that classical singing produces the same effect as pilates Y basic fitness training. The effort required to project the voice works the core muscles of the body. This intense physical exertion can also often result in weight loss. So when you sing, you’re doing light aerobic exercise!
Singing keeps you young
Another benefit of singing is that it can help you stay young. Singing gently exercises the muscles of the face, and there are plenty of those. Exercising your facial muscles can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. So forget about all those fancy and expensive anti-aging creams. Try singing instead! A joint Harvard and Yale study found that members of the population of Newhaven, Connecticut, had increased their life expectancy through choral singing. The researchers concluded that this was because singing promoted a healthy heart and improved mental state.
Sing away the blues
We often sing when we’re happy, but singing when we’re feeling down may be an even better idea. Singing can cause the brain to produce hormones called endorphins that run throughout the body. It has the same effect as when you eat a chocolate bar. Of course, the good news is that when you sing, you don’t gain weight. In fact, you may lose something!
So the next time you go to that karaoke night, remember that you’re not only having fun, you’re also doing yourself a lot of good. And the next time you’re feeling a little down, just sing along!