It's that time of the year when many Americans finally give themselves permission to do something that they deny themselves of the rest of the year: sing. And not just singing, but singing with others in choral groups, choirs and caroling.
People who sing are healthier than people who don't, according to a review of research in Australia. Singing tones the lungs, strengthens the abdominal and intercostal muscles of the diaphragm, stimulates circulation, improves aerobic capacity, and releases muscle tension.
You can start with "holly and some mistletoe" and keep going in January and beyond. You'll reap the energizing benefits of singing. Here's how to start:
- Open your mouth, take a breath, let your vocal chords vibrate, listen to the sounds.
- Hum in the shower (the acoustics are great).
- Sing your child to sleep.
- Put on your coming-of-age tunes in the car and belt out "Billie Jean" or "We Will Rock You" or "The Rain in Spain."
- Wail along with Adele or Bruno Mars while you fold your laundry.
Can't sing, you say? Bah, humbug.
Humans are born with an innate perception and understanding of music, says Professor Norman M. Weinberger, University of California Irvine.
If you're tone deaf... so what? The sacculus, a small organ in the inner ear, may register pleasure from certain frequencies emitted by singing, say researchers at the University of Manchester. So you get pleasure no matter what it sounds like to anyone else. You just may want to belt it out at a concert, in your car, or at a large church.
Joy to your world!
I'm sharing energy boosters to celebrate the reissue of my book, Everyday Energy Boosters. What zaps your energy?
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