New Study Finds That Singing Reduces Stress and Anxiety
A new study conducted by the University of Oxford has found that singing can reduce stress and anxiety levels in individuals by allowing them to express themselves without fear of judgement or criticism and helping them focus on something positive instead of worrying about their problems or anxieties.
Feb. 21, 2023 1:45PM
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A group of people standing together in a circle holding hands while singing
A new study conducted by the University of Oxford has found that singing can reduce stress and anxiety levels in individuals. The study, which was published in the journal PLOS ONE, examined the effects of singing on mental health in over 500 participants. The research team asked participants to sing either a familiar or unfamiliar song for 10 minutes every day for three weeks. At the end of the study period, they found that those who sang had significantly lower levels of stress and anxiety than those who did not sing. Furthermore, those who sang unfamiliar songs reported even greater reductions in their stress and anxiety levels than those who sang familiar songs. The researchers believe that singing helps to reduce stress and anxiety because it allows people to express themselves without fear of judgement or criticism. It also helps them to focus on something positive instead of worrying about their problems or anxieties. Additionally, singing can help people feel connected with others as they share a common experience through music. Lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Broadbent said: “Singing is an accessible activity that anyone can do regardless of age or ability level, so it’s great to see such positive results from our study." She added: "We hope this research will encourage more people to explore how singing could benefit their mental health."