Singing for Wellbeing - Bethany Williams-Potter

 For as long as I can remember I have been singing. In church as a child, in school, in the shower, at karaoke and even on stage in front of an audience of hundreds. It’s difficult to describe the feeling when I sing. It’s the perfect balance of structure and creativity i.e. the satisfaction of hitting ‘that note’ and the comfort of finding order in the beat/rhythm.

Singing in different scenarios offers different experiences and also different benefits. Until I was asked to write this blog post, I hadn’t really considered just how much singing can contribute to overall wellbeing. The more I thought about it, the more I asked myself ‘why do you sing?’ I always came to the same answer…because it simply makes me feel good.  More than good, GREAT! It can be cathartic, therapeutic or just mood boosting. Not to mention it has some great health benefits too! Singing for at least 10 minutes a day can reduce stress, clear sinuses, improve posture and even help you live longer!

In preparation for this piece, I thought about the various elements that come together to make singing possible, and the many contexts in which one might sing.

Singing alone –

You may be reading this and thinking “well I don’t sing. I’m not a singer”. But you might sing more than you think. You may find yourself singing along to the radio in the car or humming a tune as you go about your daily routine. Doing this, even if you don’t realise it, can contribute to your overall mood. Humming an upbeat tune means your mood is naturally elevated. It can also give you some much needed headspace when your mind feels crowded – you can be subtly distracted from your stresses and find relief in that little ditty you’re humming. 

Singing in a group –

Singing has the power to bring people together. It’s a well-known fact that socialising helps keep the mind sharp and wellbeing boosted. You may be part of a choir, a singing group or simply enjoy a karaoke session with friends from time to time. Being part of a choir promotes teamwork and satisfaction. When everyone works together, sings their part and keeps in time – the result can be beautiful and uplifting. On top of that, you make friends, build relationships and have fun! As a result, overall wellbeing is boosted.  

Singing to an audience -

Singing to an audience is of course very different from humming to yourself or singing in the shower. Suddenly, the act of singing becomes a shared experience, you are conveying your inner experience to others. I have been singing in front of both small and large audiences for as long as I can remember. I still get nervous now, but only until I start to sing. Then the whole world seems to melt away and the audience becomes an energy – they’re not individual people, I don’t see them, I just feel them. It’s almost like a trance. You may or may not have the same experience, but whoever you are singing in for, they will have an impact in some way on your experience and vice versa.

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We’ve established that there are many ways, places and reasons to sing. But what about the act of singing itself? What is it about singing that makes us feel so good? It’s really a delicate balance between order and creativity that gives us that satisfying boost.

1. Breathing

Much like living…singing is not possible without BREATHING. When we sing, we draw attention to our breathing patterns and how we use our bodies to achieve a specific sound. Breathing exercises are a well-known element of meditation, yoga and general wellbeing practices…and singing is no different!

By controlling our breathing, we can achieve long notes, short notes, high notes and low notes without becoming breathless. Doing this opens up the sinuses allowing air to flow smoothly. It also improves posture as you are forced to stand up straight, plant your feet and puff out your chest (a stance that is also known to be confidence boosting) to open up the body and let that air flow freely. 

1. Counting

Counting and keeping to a beat or rhythm is also a huge part of singing. Even when humming a tune to yourself – you are keeping to the beat of the song. This brings a comforting element of order to the singing experience. We all experience stress and chaos at some time in our lives, singing can offer a welcome feeling of order, even if we don’t consciously realise it at the time. Adhering to a rhythm can help structure the mind, create space mentally and stimulate new areas of the brain.

1. Creativity

Yes, singing is about breathing correctly and keeping to a rhythm, but it’s also about creativity, expression, soul, passion, personality. Whenever we sing, we put our own personal spin on things and that’s the best bit. Nobody sings exactly like YOU DO.

We may find ways of expressing ourselves through song that we can’t find in regular conversation. Just as we might find writing something down easier than talking about it, we might feel more comfortable expressing ourselves through song. Losing yourself in meaningful/relatable lyrics can be cathartic/therapeutic. Adding a riff or a flourish to a note promotes self-expression, creativity and a sense of freedom. These elements combined with mindful breathing and awareness of a beat are what makes singing such a pleasing experience.

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Lastly, I’d like to share with you my most nerve wracking performance to date. Last year, I took part in the blind auditions for Y Llais (the Welsh version of The Voice). I felt TINY on this massive stage and the 4 iconic red chairs in front of me were quite daunting. But once I took a breath and the music started – it all melted away, like it always does. I could feel the crowd were on my side and sang my heart out. I went into that trance, felt the breath flowing through me and enjoyed each note, each flourish and each lyric.

And though I didn’t get the result I was hoping for – I didn’t regret a single second. 

I NEVER regret a SING.