As years pass one thing that sticks with us is music, regardless of whether or not our taste changes. Music has the ability to make you feel a certain way and get you through pretty much anything. I mean, who doesn't love going for a drive with the windows down, listening to their favorite songs?
In recent years music has been studied for its therapeutic effects. Singing can actually help calm the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). The SNS is the body's fight or flight response and sends a signal to the adrenal glands to release adrenaline, and the body now has energy to fight or flight. On the other hand, the PSNS slows and inhibits the body to rest and digest.
By doing activities that promote the PSNS, the body can slow itself down and help you come down from any anxious or panicky feelings. Not only does singing have therapeutic effects, but feel-good hormones called endorphins are also released which help boost mood. Endorphins reduce symptoms of depression and loneliness, keep cortisol levels down, and produce euphoric-like feelings. Similar to singing, humming also activates the PSNS. When you hum, your body creates a meditative state and reduces stress. Humming has also been shown to help soothe the sinuses. Every day add a few minutes of humming to your routine so that you can keep your sinuses healthy.
It is easy to add singing and humming to your self-care routine because they can be done anytime and anywhere, they are free, and they are sure to lift your spirit. With that being said, make a playlist on Spotify or Pandora of songs that make you happy and that you know the words to so that your morning commute will be better or whenever you need a little pick-me-up.
