Carols!

December 23rd, 2023| Topic: RaMbLeS | 2

About five decades ago, around Christmas time, Eastern Airlines’ Flight 401 was bound for Miami from New York City, crashed into the Everglades swamp, killing 98 of its 173 passengers. Apparently the ones who survived endured the traumatic wait in alligator infested waters, surrounded by wreckage and bodies, and burning fuel … by singing Christmas carols!

Carolling (or at least, group singing) is good for you. Here are a list of studies to make my case.

“Changes in Mood, Oxytocin, and Cortisol Following Group and Individual Singing: A Pilot Study” (Psychology of Music, 2021):

Group singing elevated mood, whereas individual singing did not. Only group singing led to increases in oxytocin. Mood-boosting effect of singing is likely due to social aspects and is influenced by changes in oxytocin.”

“Cardiac and Respiratory Patterns Synchronize between Persons during Choir Singing” (PLoS ONE, 2011):

We find that: (a) phase synchronization both in respiration and heart rate variability increase significantly during singing relative to a rest condition; (b) phase synchronization is higher when singing in unison than when singing pieces with multiple voice parts. Our results suggest that oscillatory coupling of cardiac and respiratory patterns provide a physiological basis for interpersonal action coordination.”

“Group Singing as a Resource for the Development of a Healthy Public: A Study of Adult Group Singing” (Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2020):

A growing body of evidence points to a wide range of benefits arising from participation in group singing. Group singing requires participants to engage with each other in a simultaneous musical dialogue in a pluralistic and emergent context, creating a coherent cultural expression through the reflexive negotiation of (musical) meaning manifest in the collective power of the human voice. Our study confirmed an expected perception of the social bonding effect of group singing, highlighting affordances for interpersonal attunement and attachment alongside a powerful individual sense of feeling ‘uplifted.’”

“Beneficial Effects of Choir Singing on Cognition and Well-Being of Older Adults: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study” (PLoS ONE, 2021):

Those who had sung in a choir for more than 10 years felt greater social togetherness than those with less or no experience of choir singing. Meanwhile, singers who had been singing for less than ten years were happier with their overall health than those who did not sing in a choir. The relationships and social networks provided by being in a choir among those who have done it for longer may have become established as an integral part of their lives, therefore appearing as a greater feeling of social togetherness.”

“What Works for Wellbeing? A Systematic Review of Wellbeing Outcomes for Music and Singing in Adults” (Perspectives in Public Health, 2017)

Taken together, the studies broadly support the use of music and singing to enhance wellbeing and reduce or prevent depression in adults across the life span. For older adults, there is convincing evidence that regular participation in community music and singing activities can enhance and maintain wellbeing and prevent isolation, depression and mental ill health.”

I will sing, I will make music.
Awake, my inner being; awake, harp and lyre;
I will awaken the dawn.
I will give You thanks among the peoples, Lord;
I will make music to You among the populace.
For great unto the heavens is Your lovingkindness,
and unto the clouds, Your truth.
Be exalted above the heavens, God;
above all the earth, Your glory.
Psalm 57:7–11

Sing, choirs of angels; sing in exultation;
Sing, all ye citizens of heav’n above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ, the Lord!
John Francis Wade (18th century)

SOURCE: Study Finds