Thanks to a new European study, it has been proven that singing can reduce your stress. So, for those who spend their time singing to themselves in the shower, that actually does have a measurable effect on their stress levels and can help them cope with anything that has been causing them stress.
This effect was discovered in a study conducted on care home patients who have dementia or depression by analyzing the saliva samples before and after group music activities. These samples were collected alongside stress reports from the subjects over the course of six months.
From the saliva samples, the researchers measured the cortisol and alpha amylase, which are the two substances that most commonly rise when you experience stress. With these samples and the reports of the participants before and after each activity, the study was able to gather enough evidence to prove that music-related activities can reduce stress.
While it is widely believed that music can act as a method of stress relief among the general public, it is good to have the effect confirmed and to see a scientific explanation for the phenomenon. It is especially good to see that music can help those who are suffering from extreme conditions like dementia and depression.
Additionally, as a side effect of lowering cortisol through music, having a low cortisol can help reduce your chances of developing heart disease. Which means that it is scientifically proven that singing music with a group is good for your heart. Maybe there was something to the saying “Music is good for the soul”.
