Singing lowers stress hormones, particularly cortisol, the primary hormone associated with stress.
Multiple studies confirm this effect:
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A 2017 study measured cortisol levels in saliva before and after singing, finding a significant decrease post-singing, indicating reduced stress and increased relaxation.
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Research from the Frontiers in Psychology journal showed that singing in low-stress environments reduces cortisol and cortisone levels, while high-stress performances (like live concerts) can increase them.
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The Royal College of Music and other institutions have found that singing sessions lead to measurable drops in cortisol, contributing to a calmer state of mind.
These benefits occur whether singing solo or in a group, as long as the environment is not anxiety-inducing.
Singing also stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps regulate the body’s stress response, and promotes spaciousness(emptying the mind), further reducing mental clutter and stress.
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