The health benefits of singing

Watching a choral performance, you might guess that choral singing gives its participants a sense of community, of belonging and working towards a shared goal. Research definitely seems to support this, with a survey^[1] of nearly 2,000 choir members confirming they felt that being in a choir had an overwhelmingly positive impact on their wellbeing.  

What might surprise you is just how broad the health benefits of singing really are. We take a look at the many ways singing, especially as part of a choir, has positive effects on physical and mental health, which can improve your quality of life.

Unlimited access to a qualified GP with Saga Health Insurance - you'll have access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to a GP consultation service. Find out more about our GP phone service.

How singing can improve your health

Reduce blood pressure

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden^[2] found that singing in a group leads to the synchronisation of heart rates, and increased the variability of heart rate, which is potentially beneficial as low variability is linked to high blood pressure.

Oxygenate the blood 

All that standing up straight helps to improve posture and deepens breathing. Professor Graham Welch of the University of London, says: ‘Singing is an aerobic activity that increases oxygenation in the bloodstream and exercises major muscle groups in the upper body, even when sitting.

Boost the immune system

Studies from the Goethe University and from the Royal College of Music^[3] found that amateur group singing can also help improve the immune system and, in particular, in the defence against respiratory infections and even cancer.

Improve concentration

And it’s not just a physical workout, your brain is involved, too. Concentration improves, because you have to focus on what you’re singing and pay attention to instructions. Even humming is thought to improve concentration, with children in particular being known to hum away to themselves while in deep concentration.

Reduce stress, anxiety and depression

On the social and emotional side, singing reduces stress and anxiety as well as easing depression^[4]. There’s also a ‘performance high’ from the pleasure of being part of a performance that the audience enjoy.

Researchers have found that group singing increases the level of ‘happiness hormones’ endorphin, oxytocin and serotonin^[5]. These hormones also increase pain-tolerance thresholds, which helps people suffering chronic pain or illnesses.

In a two-year study by Canterbury Christ Church University^[6], researchers looked at group-singing over-60s, who showed significantly reduced levels of anxiety and depression, and also improved their quality of life scores on a scale recognised by the National Institution of Clinical Excellence (NICE), which measures how cost-effective health interventions are.

Music and mingling

There’s a social side to choirs, too (apart from whispering to your neighbour about which bar we’re on). Most have a break for a tea or coffee and a chat, and there may be a trip to the pub after rehearsals, days out and trips to concerts. Fundraising events offer another opportunity to mingle. It's a great way to meet like-minded people in a fun and stress-free environment and the perfect opportunity to make new friends.

The Big Choral Census taken in 2017 estimated that 2.14 million people across the UK sing regularly in choirs. Rock Club, one of the largest choir groups across the UK, has around 30,000 members active in 400 communities, making it the largest contemporary choir in the world. There are tens of thousands of other choirs operating in schools, community groups and churches. Rest assured that whatever your singing style or music taste there's bound to be a choir that's just right for you, whether you prefer classical, gospel, contemporary or folk. 

What if I can’t sing or read music?

Many of us say we couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but you’re almost definitely not a bad as you think. Try la-la’ing a well-known tune to a friend, and as long as they can recognise it, you should be fine. And there’s no need to worry about standing up in front of people to judge whether your voice is good enough for you to join: the surprising fact is that two-thirds of UK choirs don’t hold auditions!

Being able to read music undoubtedly helps, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Practice and repetition will help the notes and rhythm sink in, and on your sheet music you’ll get to recognise roughly how a melody runs because the notes are moving up or down the stave (the five horizontal lines that the notes are marked on), even if you can’t say whether it’s a G or an A. If you’ve ever played an instrument, that notation knowledge will start to resurface.

How to find a choir

Decide on the type of music you want to sing. Some choirs sing classical works, some focus on pop music, while others are devoted to gospel or musical theatre. Your workplace may have a singing group, or check noticeboards outside churches and community halls, as these spaces are often used for rehearsals.

You can search by postcode on British Choirs on the Net which has listings for over 4,000 UK choirs. Rock Choir is probably the best known, and the world’s largest, contemporary music choir – with no sheet music. Tuneless Choirs are for those who love singing but lack skill or confidence. There are over 30 in the UK so far, with details on how to get your own started if there isn't one in your area. Virtually Tuneless is available online. 

No wonder 2.14 million people in the UK sing in choirs. All together now…

Need to talk to a GP from the comfort of your own home? Saga Health Insurance customers can talk to a qualified, practising UK GP 24 hours a day by phone. Find out more about our GP service.

^[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29137545/
^[2] https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2013-26751-001
^[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15669447/
^[4]https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171221101402.htm
^[5] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200518-why-singing-can-make-you-feel-better-in-lockdown
^[6] https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/news-centre/press-releases/2015/research-shows-singing-improves-mental-health-and-wellbeing.aspx