10 health benefits of singing

We all love singing along to our favorite songs – whether it’s in the car, the shower, or at a concert. But singing isn’t just fun. It’s actually great for your health.

You don’t need to be a professional singer to enjoy the benefits. Even casual singing can improve your mood, reduce stress, and support your overall well-being.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 health benefits of singing. From better breathing and mental health to stronger social connections, singing does much more than lift your spirits.

Physical health benefits of singing

Singing is often called “the original aerobic exercise.” It requires a complex coordination of muscles, breath, and neurological signals that provide a full-body workout.

1. Boosts Immune System

Here’s an interesting fact: singing can actually boost your immune system in a way that just listening to music can’t.

In a key study from 2004, researchers tested levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), an antibody that helps protect your body from germs in your airways. 

They found that people who sang had much higher levels of this important immune defense compared to those who only listened to music.

While listening to music did help reduce stress, it didn’t give the same immune system boost.

2. Strengthens Respiratory Function and Lung Capacity

One of the most well-known physical benefits of singing is its impact on lung health. 

Singing requires controlled and deep breathing, which helps strengthen your lungs and improve overall lung capacity. This is particularly beneficial for people with respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Singing also engages the diaphragm and core muscles, promoting more efficient and deeper breaths. The practice of breathing exercises used by vocalists can be incredibly helpful for anyone looking to improve their breathing control and lung strength.

3. Improves Heart Health and Circulation

When you sing, your heart rate and breathing become synchronized. A study published in Frontiers in Psychology revealed that choir members’ heart rates actually speed up and slow down in unison, guided by the rhythm of the music.

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV): Singing stimulates the vagus nerve, which is responsible for the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system). This increases HRV – a key marker of a healthy, resilient heart.
• Microvascular Function: Recent research from the Medical College of Wisconsin suggests that singing can improve blood flow in small vessels, offering potential benefits for those with coronary artery disease.
  

4. May Improve Posture and Muscle Tone

When you sing properly, your body naturally adjusts. Your chest expands, your back straightens, and your core engages to support breath control. Over time, these repeated adjustments can reinforce better postural habits.

Professor Welch observes that “when you break into song, your chest expands and your back and shoulders straighten, thus improving your posture.” The abdominal, intercostal, and diaphragmatic muscles all get a workout during sustained singing.

There isn’t much clinical research that focuses only on singing and posture. However, singing naturally requires good posture. To sing well, you need to stand or sit straight and use your core muscles for proper breathing.

Because of this, people who sing regularly may develop better posture and stronger core support over time, leading to real physical benefits.

Mental & emotional benefits of singing

The mental health benefits of singing are perhaps the most immediately noticeable.

5. Reduces Stress and Lowers Cortisol

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone. When you’re anxious or overwhelmed, cortisol floods your system, triggering the “fight or flight” response. 

Multiple studies have confirmed that after singing, cortisol levels drop significantly. The beauty of singing is that it forces you to be “in the moment.” 

You cannot worry about your mortgage while simultaneously trying to hit a high C and remember the lyrics to a bridge. This “flow state” provides an immediate neurological break from chronic stress.

A 2017 study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that both group singing and solo singing can lower cortisol levels, which helps reduce stress. 

However, this only happens when people sing in a relaxed and comfortable environment. Singing in a stressful setting does not have the same effect.

6. Enhances Mood and Reduces Symptoms of Depression

When you sing, your brain releases several “happy chemicals.” This isn’t just metaphorical – it’s a real, measurable change in brain chemistry that helps improve your mood and make you feel good.

A recent review published in The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied looked at 11 studies conducted between 2013 and 2023. The researchers found that singing programs can help reduce symptoms of depression and improve emotional well-being.

Overall, the review suggests that singing can be a meaningful and effective way to boost mood.

7. Acts as a Mindfulness Practice

Mindfulness means being fully present in the moment, and it is known to support good mental health. Singing naturally encourages mindfulness.

When you sing, your focus shifts to the present. You pay attention to your breathing, pitch, rhythm, lyrics, and sound. This leaves little room for worrying about the past or future.

The Sing Up Foundation describes it this way: “So much is going on in your body and mind when you sing that when you are singing you are fully focused on it. This allows you to ‘turn off’ your stream of consciousness and live completely in the moment.”

Unlike traditional meditation, which can feel difficult for some people, singing creates mindfulness through active involvement. This makes it an easy and enjoyable way to practice being present.

Social and cognitive benefits of singing

Singing is a deeply “human” activity that bridges the gap between our individual biology and our social environments.

8. Enhances Memory and Cognitive Function

Singing has a direct impact on your memory and cognitive functions. 

Studies have shown that singing, particularly with lyrics, engages both your long-term memory and short-term recall. By transforming words into melodies, singing aids in musical encoding, a process that strengthens memory recall.

Because of this, singing is becoming a vital tool in the fight against dementia and Alzheimer’s, helping older adults maintain a sense of self. 

But this benefit starts early: for children, learning songs and nursery rhymes enhances phonetic awareness and language comprehension, building the essential foundation for all future language learning.

9. Sharpens Focus and Concentration

Singing requires intense focus. You need to pay attention to pitch, timing, lyrics, and breath control all at once. This multitasking trains the brain to be more attentive and improves overall concentration.

Whether you’re learning a new song or preparing for a performance, the process of focusing on multiple aspects of singing helps you improve attention and concentration in other areas of life as well.

10. Promotes Social Bonding

Group singing – whether in a choir, with family, or with friends, helps create a strong sense of connection and belonging. These social bonds are important for emotional health, especially today when many people feel lonely.

When people sing together, the body releases oxytocin, often called the bonding hormone. This helps build trust, improve mood, and strengthen emotional connections.

Singing in a group can make you feel part of something bigger, which helps reduce stress and supports mental strength. 

Moreover, singing together has been shown to lower the risk of loneliness and increase overall well-being by creating a safe and supportive space for self-expression.

Conclusion

Singing is more than just a way to express yourself – it’s a powerful tool for improving both mental and physical health. 

From boosting your immune system to fostering emotional connections, singing offers a wealth of benefits that can enhance your life. 

The research is clear: whether you’re a professional vocalist or someone who only sings when no one’s listening, your body and brain respond to song in ways that promote health and well-being.

At Wiingy, we believe in the power of personalized learning, and if you’re ready to take your singing to the next level, we offer expert-vetted singing tutors that can help you improve your technique and unlock the full health benefits of singing. 

So go ahead – sing your heart out and start enjoying the amazing health benefits today!

Read More

• How music effects memory: The science behind sound and recall
• How to learn singing: Expert advice for beginners
• How to learn singing as an adult?
• Singing lessons for kids: What parents need to know
• 7 Best Online Vocal Lessons for Adults

Recommended

• Singing lessons in New York
• Singing lessons in Dallas
• Singing lessons in Chicago
• Singing lessons in Los Angeles
• Singing lessons in San Francisco