Unexpected benefits of music for your body

Popular wisdom teaches us that music is good for your soul, but it can also help you in many other surprising ways. Listening, and all the more practicing music, are supposed to have immediate benefits on your body. All good reasons to have a field day and add singing to your list of resolutions for 2015.

Group singing influences your heart

A study carried out by researchers at the University of Gothenburg revealed that members of the same choir have a natural tendency to synchronize their heartbeat when singing together, which creates a calm atmosphere similar to Yoga (which also requires breath control). Furthermore, the USA is seeing a new activity emerging (born in Los Angeles) called Vocal Yoga.

Music improves your sleep

A study by the National Library of Medicine outlines the fact that Classical Music is good for your sleep. If not for helping to fall asleep, it also improves the quality of sleep with its powerful ability to calm, thus reducing nervous activity and helping you to sleep better.

Singing makes you look good

No magic potion here, it's all about your posture. When singing, your body has a natural tendency to straighten up to create the air column, and you quickly look more confident.

Music reduces stress

It's not a surprise, Music helps reduce stress levels. It stimulates your body's stress reducers and is supposed to have the same effects as a massage.

Furthermore, slow and smooth music can change how fast your brain creates new connections, bringing the person close to a meditation or hypnotic state. Indeed, this can be very useful for people suffering from behavioral issues.

Recover from a cold with some singing

When singing, you force your sinuses, those small respiratory channels in your nose, to open up, as well as your respiratory tract. As a result, your breathing is easier, and you feel better!

Music increases your brain's abilities

Upbeat tempo helps in preparing for an important competition by reducing the level of stress, and therefore increasing the overall performance.

In addition, listening to music when working on a task that requires a lot of focus can help you increase your performance. Research published in Psychology Today has outlined the benefits of music on cognitive abilities, which are used when working on activities that require a lot of thinking.

Published on: 1 January 2015