One of the blessings of spring is the melody of songbirds. The male birds sing to attract females, but singing is also good for them. When male songbirds serenade females, that activates the pleasure center in the male's brain. Surprisingly, that does not happen when a songbird sings alone. Perhaps it is melodic pride or something to do with competition, but the benefit to the brain only occurs when the male sings in the presence of other birds.
A similar thing happens when human beings sing together, but for us the benefit extends to males and females. When we sing, our brain releases endorphins, the chemicals that help us to feel positive and happy. Karaoke singing has proliferated not only because we enjoy watching each other make fools of ourselves, but also because of its psychological benefit. We derive the greatest psychological benefit from singing, however, when we sing in a group, especially a chorus or choir. Studies have shown that nursing home residents who participated in a singing program for a month experienced decreased anxiety and depression. Those involved in choral groups expressed greater satisfaction with their lives, even when facing significant challenges.
Some suggest that the endorphins flow more freely for choral singers because singing requires us to breathe more deeply, which sends more oxygen into our bodies. Our brains like that. Others note that directing our attention to learning or relearning a piece of music and to blending well with other singers takes our minds off our troubles. The older we are, the more that helps to keep sadness and depression at bay. When we sing together we connect with each other; that feeling of community decreases isolation and loneliness. Yes, we can prompt endorphins through other activities, but studies suggest that singing in a group offers the greatest benefit.
We could all rush in and ask to join our chancel choir. I'd like to watch Raymund respond to that! While I'm confident that our choirs could use additional singers, joining them will not work for everyone. We could, however, promise to sing in our upcoming summer choirs for a month or the entire summer. That offers significant endorphin production with minimal investment of time.
Or we could simply commit ourselves to signing more exuberantly for the rest of Lent and through the season of Easter. The positive effect could lead to a healthy habit. We sing more readily in a group that sings enthusiastically. I rarely enjoy presbytery meetings, but usually find the worship services uplifting because of the robust singing. Most teaching elders enjoy singing and that evidently applies to ruling elders as well. Perhaps that results from our awareness that while we sing together we can't argue!
Exuberant singing helps to form community. We all find it easier to raise our voices less timidly when surrounded by people singing boldly. Yes, exuberant singers sometimes begin too soon or hit the wrong note. When we simply laugh it off, that reminder of our humanness links us more fully together. After all, congregational song is an act of worship, not a competition. Those of us who consider ourselves poor singers find the courage to give it a try more readily when we have confidence that other voices will carry the tune.
Nothing will stop the songbirds from filling the air with melody. We now know that they do something good for themselves while they delight us. Why not enjoy that same benefit? How often do we discover that something we enjoy is actually good for us? Perhaps that is why so many psalms mention song and one begins, "O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" (Psalm 95:1).
Sing boldly, church!
LP
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