Sing for your life

Research over the last decade in relation to the effects of the arts on health suggest that the aesthetic is important to our well-being. A couple of recent studies bear out the statement attributed to Robert Browning: 'There is a delight in singing, tho' none hear beside the singer'.

The delights are not all in the hearing. Studies into the health benefits of singing conducted at Canterbury University showed positive associations between singing and  feelings of well-being · greater relaxation responses · improved breathing and benefit to the heart and immune system · better posture · enhanced social, spiritual and emotional benefits

An introductory leaflet by the Health Education Authority, linking the arts to health, states:

'The arts clearly have a potential to make a major contribution to our health, well-being and life skills. it is important, however, to capture the evidence of the impact of the arts on health to ensure proper recognition of their effect and the availability of appropriate levels of investment to sustain any positive influences.'

The two Canterbury studies provide the evidence from their interviews with members of the university's choral society: Of the respondents 49 per cent said they received spiritual benefit from their singing (and not necessarily through 'spiritual' music); 58 per cent benefited physically; 75 per cent emotionally; and 87 per cent socially.

It has to be said that the responses, in these particular studies, were subjective, although data from other studies have provided clinical evidence in support of the health benefits of music and singing.

The Canterbury studies recognised that they were exploratory, but sufficiently positive to encourage wider investigation in the future. In collaboration with other researchers in the field they are planning to investigate the effects of singing and the immune response, particularly the levels of salivary immunoglobulin A.

All this will be music to the ears of people who love singing, and should not be interpreted as a licence to sing outside of God’s guidelines.

Undoubtedly an ability to sing is a gift from God, so we can be sure that the right use of the gift will be health-enhancing. In exercising the gift we will be sure to discover 'there is a delight in singing, tho' none hear beside the singer', and make the 'appropriate levels of investment to sustain any positive influences'.

Richard J B Willis

BUC Health Ministries Director

© The Stanborough Press