Sing out – it really is good for you
Sunday 25th May is National Sing Out day, and this got me thinking that singing has always been a part of my life. It is something that has always been there, and until I sat down to write this blog, I hadn’t really appreciated how much it has done for me.
Some of my earliest memories are of my dad singing to me, to soothe me, to get me off to sleep. As a youngster, some of the best times were on road trips with him, something blasting out of the tape player in the car, and us both singing along at the top of our lungs – my dad had the most incredible voice. Music was a big part of my teenage life, and I would spend hours in my room, singing and getting completely lost in my favourite bands – this came with a lot of emotional release too, the songs were often full of anger, sadness or melancholy – and I still have a handful of songs that will always make me cry.
Music was my therapy as a teenager, a safe space to express myself in a controlled way – music to suit my mood, and I often felt much better after the album finished and I had sung through the emotional journey.
Little did I know that I was probably also benefitting from the action of singing on my vagus nerve – a huge cranial nerve with many branches connecting to our vital organs but playing a key role in connecting to the part of our brain responsible for mood regulation. Stimulating our vagus nerve, which can be done by singing because it’s branches connect to the muscles surrounding our larynx and vocal cords, helps regulate the body’s stress response, reducing levels of cortisol and promoting emotional stability.
As an adult, when particularly stressful events were challenging me, I realised I didn’t have enough singing in my life so I joined a choir. Not just any choir, one that specialises in singing pop and rock songs and musical talent is NOT required. It was a game changer, not just being able to sing out with others, but the sense of community and belonging – and it turns out there is science behind this too – studies have shown that singing in groups can elevate mood, decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression, and enhance overall psychological well-being.
So for this years National Sing Out day – do just that, sing out, at the top of your lungs, in the car, in the shower, in the shed, with your friends, with your kids – wherever you want to, but remember, it really is good for you.
Youth Trauma Allies offer training, signposting and resources to schools and parents, as well as reflective practice spaces for school staff, families, community groups to strengthen their well-being. We are informed by the young people we want to support, and want to break down the barriers that are in place to stop our young people being part of their local community and feeling valued.
If you want to find out more about how we can help you create mentally healthy and supportive communities around our young people, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
