As we joined the singing of the first hymn at our nephew’s wedding, three thoughts occurred to me; thank goodness there's a choir!  I wish I could sing! One day I'm going to have singing lessons!

As the congregation proceeded to quietly eke out a bit of a sound I thought what a shame it was that for most people it is a rare thing to sing in a congregation, a choir or any other singing group.  Then I remembered my friend who passionately sings in a Rock Choir, and the vast numbers of people in the UK who sing with them too.

So what is it about singing?

Sarah Rainey’s article from July 2013 describes her experience of joining Rock Choir and how she leaves every session uplifted, buoyed by a flurry of endorphins flooding through her body.

She goes on to say that Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have said there are many health benefits from singing.  They found that choristers’ heartbeats synchronise when they sing together, bringing about a calming effect that is as beneficial to our health as yoga.

Here’s the link to Sarah Rainey’s article:  

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/10168914/All-together-now-singing-is-good-for-your-body-and-soul.html

Singing can also boost our immune system, reduce stress levels and even help patients cope with chronic pain according to a report published in the Journal of Music Therapy in 2004.

The article covers many other good reasons to sing: increased life expectancy; overcoming depression; improved mindset, confidence and self-esteem. 

Jeremy Hywel Williams, who leads the Llanelli Choral Society in Wales says “While singing alone is good, singing with others can be even better.”

Here’s a link to the article:

http://jmt.oxfordjournals.org/content/41/3/241.short

So I’m looking forward to the next family get together where I will sing to my heart’s content!!

it's time to join the thousands of people who enjoy the positive state that singing gives them!

How about you?

Jane xx