Sing Your Way to Wellness
Feeling Low? How Singing Can Lift Your Mood and Mind
It’s January and we have a fresh start in front of us - but maybe we’re not feeling that great. How are you, really? Some of us might be busy making plans for the new year, setting goals and manifesting what we dream of, feeling excited. But perhaps many of us struggle to find the motivation. The thought of having to strive for a “better me” or to go out and “live your best life” can simply be too overwhelming. But that’s ok. Everything is ok. Life has never been easy, but perhaps, this day and age has come with some great challenges that we didn’t predict we would have to battle. Wars, climate change and nature catastrophes along with rising costs of living and systems of our society that hardly allows any time for rest.
Hello, it’s me
However you’re feeling today - and wherever you are… Hi, I’m Malin 🙂 I’m not a wellness expert or a doctor in any way, but I am here to help you feel better. I spent 2024 researching, studying and writing about the topic of singing linked to our wellbeing and I kept questioning - how can we help ourselves feel better, using a practice that perhaps you wouldn’t expect; to practice singing.
I’ve decided to start sharing my passion for singing and how it’s connected to our whole self and wellbeing, with this blog. I’m a singer and songwriter, an artist and a vocal coach. I’m also a yogi, practicing yoga almost every day. I love yoga so much, but I’m really not that “good.” However, the purpose of yoga is the individual practice, and to be in the present moment - connected to your body and breath - you simply cannot be good or bad at it.
When I’ve been building a new concept around my coaching, my mind has often gone to yoga. With singing, we might think that we have to “become Adele” or have a natural talent, to be allowed to use our voices. But almost everyone needs to learn and practice singing technique a lot, to build resilience and flexibility in our voice to sing freely. Singing is really for EVERYONE. We sing to express ourselves, to communicate and to release our emotions.
But how is singing connected to our wellbeing? Is it really? It indeed is - I’ll tell you ✨
The Positive Effect of Singing
When we sing, frequencies and resonance move through our bodies, creating both physical and emotional effects. The resonance from our voice helps calm the nervous system and stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a key role in our rest, digest, and restore functions. When we sing, the lyrics and storytelling within the songs also play a significant role. They can allow us to express our true emotions, helping to shift our mindset and break free from cycles of overthinking.
The Chemical Reaction
The other thing that’s happening in our bodies when we sing is a chemical reaction. Although it may seem scary, it's actually a rise in all the good stuff! When we sing, our bodies release several beneficial hormones and neurotransmitters, including endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin. These “happy hormones” promote positive feelings, and the effect of this is a reduction in feelings of anxiety, stress and depression. How cool is that!?
…so, perhaps you don’t need to start the gym, set big goals or start a new diet this year, maybe you should just try singing? Not for the sake of performing, but to simply sing and as a bonus; feel better!
Thank you for reading this far, if you have. I warmly welcome you into this safe space and I‘ll keep sharing things about the voice, vocal health, songwriting, the creative process and more along with introducing myself more in this so-called blog. I hope you want to keep reading.
If you’re curious to try out what singing is all about, in your own safe space, I have a free workshop coming up next week on January 30th. You can sign up here and I’ll be sending you the invite and link to join shortly.
Until then, take care and always…Keep singing.
Love
Malin