Singing is something most of us do without thinking, whether it's while driving to work, humming along to the radio, or belting out your favorite song in the shower. What might surprise you is that this everyday act has powerful benefits for your mental health and wellbeing at work. Science tells us that singing can calm the nervous system, boost mood, and even strengthen team connections, making it an unexpected yet valuable addition to HR wellness initiatives.
How Singing Impacts the Nervous System
So, now we know that singing does more than just lift your spirits, but how? Well, when you sing, you are triggering the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps your body relax and restore balance. This shift can slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and promote a deep sense of calm. In fact, both singing and humming activate the vagus nerve, improving breathing patterns and reducing the production of stress hormone levels.
In 2017, a research study noted that “singing can also cause changes in neurotransmitters and hormones, including the upregulation of oxytocin, immunoglobulin A, and endorphins, which improves immune function and increases feelings of happiness”. These changes can ease anxiety and support mental clarity, both of which are essential for wellbeing at work and for sustained mental health benefits. So even if you're not the world's best singer, singing has a real impact on your body.
The Science Behind Singing and Wellbeing
Looking deeper into the science on this, Jacques Launay, a Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford also mentions that “singing is particularly beneficial for improving breathing, posture and muscle tension. Listening to and participating in music has been shown to be effective in pain relief, too, probably due to the release of neurochemicals such as ?-endorphin (a natural painkiller responsible for the “high” experienced after intense exercise).”
Launay also shares the benefit of regular singing and practicing in that “regular choir members report that learning new songs is cognitively stimulating and helps their memory, and it has been shown that singing can help those suffering from dementia, too.” This suggests that singing doesn't just help us in the short-term (though it does that, too!) but can provide long-term cognitive benefits that extend beyond the immediate mood improvement.
Finally, Launay says that “singing has also been shown to improve our sense of happiness and wellbeing. Research has found, for example, that people feel more positive after actively singing than they do after passively listening to music or after chatting about positive life event”. What we see here is that the science behind singing is paramount to our overall health and wellbeing, and ultimately keeps us healthier for longer, physically and mentally.
How Singing Boosts Your Mind, Mood, and Body
Let's recap – here are the essential ways that singing helps support wellbeing:
- Mood Boosting: Endorphins and dopamine released during singing can improve your mood.
- Stress Reduction: Deep, controlled breathing helps regulate the nervous system and help you feel calmer.
- Cognitive Stimulation: Learning new songs strengthens memory and mental agility.
- Social Connection: Group singing fosters belonging and shared purpose, and helps you feel part of a community.
You can achieve all of this pretty simply, and here are some ideas to get you started:
- Join a community choir or local singing group. There are groups for all ages, ability levels and interests. It's a great way to practice, improve and meet new people.
- Hum softly while working to stay relaxed and focused, but only if it won't annoy your coworkers! This can be especially helpful to stay alert and focused on work-from-home days.
- Sing at the top of your lungs in the car on your commute to or from work. No-one else will hear you, you'll have fun and support your workplace wellbeing at the same time.
Singing Can Build Connection and Support Wellbeing at Work
In the workplace, singing can be part of HR wellness initiatives and activities that support wellbeing at work. If you're not sure where to begin, here are a few fun ideas:
- Start a Workplace Choir: Meet weekly to rehearse and perform at events. We can help you find a choir director or pianist to accompany your choir. Workplace choirs not only help employees bond and get to know one another, but also give all the health benefits that come from singing and connection.
- Host a Karaoke Night: It can be hard to figure out what team building works for your organization. Have you tried organizing a karaoke night at a local karaoke bar? This is a great, low-stakes way for employees to try singing and shake off any nerves by singing their hearts out with their favorite songs. Karaoke-themed team building sessions encourage social connection while being lighthearted.
- Use Singing in Team Meetings: Try starting a big meeting or a long workshop with a group song to energize the room, or do so after a lunch break to avoid the post-lunch slump.
- For remote and hybrid teams, begin your next video meeting with a short humming exercise to help participants focus. They can be on mute if they are feeling self-conscious, but participation is the key here. We can provide you with an expert who will lead the team and guide them through simple breathing and vocal techniques that promote relaxation, boost energy, and set a positive tone for the meeting.
Why HR Leaders Should Consider Singing for Workplace Wellness
Singing is inclusive, low-cost, and adaptable to many environments. It requires no special equipment, and participation can be open to all employees, whether they are in-person or working remotely. Adding singing into HR wellness initiatives can provide an accessible method for stress relief, team connection, and improved mental health at work.
When employees experience reduced stress, stronger social bonds, and improved mood, engagement and collaboration tend to increase. In fact, a 2023 study published by the NIH showed that “work-related relaxation facilitated by social support is an intriguing factor for both improving job satisfaction and reducing emotional exhaustion. In this way, corporate singing sessions increase wellbeing at work and decrease burnout, helping employees feel more energized, focused, and connected to their teams.
Singing Belongs in Your Workplace and We're Here to Help
From starting a workplace choir to hosting a team building karaoke night or encouraging a few minutes of humming during the workday, singing is easy to achieve and has an enormous impact on both individual and team wellbeing. If you are looking for fresh HR wellness initiatives that employees will genuinely enjoy, singing might be the perfect addition.
Contact us today to see how we can bring singing to your workplace.