Research Explores Singing’s Impact on Mental Wellbeing

Over 300 individuals have participated in an experiment designed to ascertain if vocalizing can enhance mental health and overall wellbeing. Investigators invited people to join “Sing for Happiness,” an initiative where attendees engaged in choir sessions, during which mood data was gathered, culminating in a festive performance. The study, conducted by St George’s music venue in Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE) leading up to Christmas, aimed to build upon the findings of a comparable project undertaken in the summer. John Neugebauer described his participation as a “joyful” experience and noted he formed “instant bonds” with fellow singers. “If anyone is considering singing in a choir and had no training just go for it you’ll really benefit from it, you’ll get a feeling of being part of something bigger than yourself – such joy,” he added. “You get a great rush of endorphins when you’re singing. When words don’t do certain feelings justice you can sing.” Jon Munday stated that he was motivated to take part after his friend joined the project in the summer. “I’ve had no singing experience in a choir so it can be quite daunting at first when you worry about not being able to hit certain notes, but once you put that aside and have that shared experience you feel the difference straight away,” he said. “I feel much more energised, much more grounded. “Everything goes out of the window when you start singing.” Information was provided by 361 participants who took part in the summer event, encompassing mood surveys and wellbeing questionnaires completed prior to and following the sessions. The investigation revealed an immediate enhancement in the mood of participants through communal singing, and they reported feeling more serene, invigorated, and content. Kat Branch, a researcher at UWE, indicated that the primary objective of the trial during the holiday season centered on assessing enhancements in emotional state and vitality. “Christmas and December is a very draining time and if you’ve suffered any loss or challenge Christmas can also amplify that,” she said. “I have observed people saying they feel more connected to each other, like they’re helping and holding each other up – a sense of kinship and community, I think that’s interesting.” Samir Savant, chief executive of St George’s, commented that it was “magical” to witness everyone uniting to sing. “I’m always amazed because so many people tell me they haven’t sung since they were a child and they’re here doing four part harmonies,” he said. Investigators intend to conduct an additional study involving a different cohort from spring to summer 2025. For updates, follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Submit story concepts via email or WhatsApp at 0800 313 4630. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for material on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external links is available.