Singing Away Stress
Don’t you feel a little betrayed when you hit that impossible Adele high note in the shower and no one’s there to give you a standing ovation? You pour your heart into “Someone Like You,” and the only applause you get is the sound of running water. Tragic, right?
Well, here’s the good news, your private concert isn’t for nothing. Science says all that singing (yes, even the off-key parts) is secretly working as stress therapy. Turns out, hitting those high notes is doing more for your mood than you think.
Your Brain on a Musical High
Turns out, your body loves a good tune. Studies show that the body’s Vagus Nerve System, which carries signals between your brain, heart, and digestive system, with one of its core functions being directly linked to the regulation of mood, gets fired up when you tend to sing or hum (no matter how out of tune). Think of it this way: your brain doesn’t care if you sound like Beyoncé or a broken hairdryer. It just hears joy.
When you sing, your brain releases endorphins (those “feel-good” hormones that act like natural painkillers) and oxytocin, the so-called “bonding hormone.” That combo gives you a mild emotional high and helps wash away anxiety, which might explain why you suddenly feel like life’s a musical after a few verses of Bohemian Rhapsody.
Breathing Like Cher
Sadly, after Matthew Perry’s tragic passing in 2023, it even shot up to the 4th most-streamed show in the U.S. for that week, proof that the love for these six hasn’t dimmed and that Perry’s legacy as Chandler will forever be etched into the sitcom hall of fame.
Friendship Goals (Even if They Were on a Break)
Another sneaky reason singing helps? Breathing. When you sing, you naturally take deeper, more controlled breaths, almost like yoga, but with more drama and melody.
Deep breathing while singing slows your heart rate and lowers blood pressure, creating a calming, meditative effect (as per Asthma And Lung). So, in a way, you’re tricking your nervous system into chill mode… just with a better soundtrack.
After you regulate your breathing and you’re focused on the song’s melody and lyrics, things fall into place automatically; your mind doesn’t wander off into the depths of anxiety and overthinking, and rather forces you to be in the present moment.
Psychologists call that mindfulness — being completely absorbed in the now.
So that’s right, your bathroom concert is basically therapy. The Grammys won’t send you an invitation anytime soon, but we see you and we applaud you! Freddie Mercury would be proud of you, champ.
Be Your Own Rihanna
Next time you’re spiraling, forget the self-help podcasts and pick a playlist instead. Sing it out, loud, off-key, maybe even into your hairbrush if you must.
Because somewhere between the wrong lyrics and the right melody, your stress melts away. So go on, channel your inner Rihanna. The neighbors might hate it (or love it, who knows), but your brain will appreciate it. So go, be your own biggest fan!
