In my previous post, I explained how meditation and prayer reduce stress levels, improves sleep and the functionality of the brain. In an article by #StacyHorn entitled, Singing Changes Your Brain, group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins.
In her article, she explains, “When you sing, musical vibrations move through you, altering your physical and emotional landscape. Group singing, for those who have done it, is the most exhilarating and transformative of all. It takes something incredibly intimate, a sound that begins inside you, shares it with a roomful of people and it comes back as something even more thrilling: harmony. So, it’s not surprising that group singing is on the rise. According to Chorus America, 32.5 million adults sing in choirs, up by almost 10 million over the past six years.”
According to the #WorldHealthOrganization, more than 350 million people across the world – of all ages and from all communities – suffer from depression. Depression was described as a “#black dog” like phenomenon constantly weighing down on the mind by former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.
The use of singing to alleviate suffering, depression, and anxiety isn’t new and can be found in all cultures. Slave songs, also known as songs of the Underground Railroad were spiritual group songs used by the slaves to encourage themselves but also used to convey coded information to escaping slaves as they moved along the various Underground Railroad routes.
For many victims of Nazi brutality, singing was also used to preserve and assert their humanity. Out of the Jewish Holocaust came the creation of topical and ghetto songs which served as a form of historical documentation of their experiences.
Fast forward to 2019, we must learn to fight depression. I’ve attached the video called, #I had a black dog, his name was depression, to help those who are struggling with depression. Although the video doesn’t mention group singing to overcome and deal with depression, I highly recommend it. Consider joining a vocal group, church choir, or volunteer to lead a singing group at a nursing home. You will be the better for it. I guarantee it! If you like this post, don’t forget to like, comment, and brighten someone else’s day by sharing it.
As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes… and their enemies were defeated. 2 Chronicles 20:22 NIV
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