Sing yourself into the New Year with a Song
We need to sing more. I received a little bookmark to remember to “just read”, well, I am here to tell you to “just sing”.
Singing is prayer for some of us. St. Augustine's famous quote on singing, often paraphrased as "To sing is to pray twice" or "He who sings, prays twice."
Singing uses all of us, not just our minds but our body, heart, soul and mind. It is wholistic and healthy. It is art, too, and anyone can sing. Claude Monet said, “I would like to paint the way a bird sings.” I interpret this to be at least partially that a bird sings because it is made to sing. We have lungs and vocal cords and so we are also made to sing.
Singing is good for you. It can reduce stress and enhance your cardiovascular system. It helps your lungs, too. Unsurprisingly, the vagus nerve is positively affected and endorphins are released. Both sides of your brain are engaged, which is also a way that singing is wholistic.
Singing can even help to repair your brain after an injury! This activity can help with neuroplasticity and keep your brain healthier longer.*
Finally, singing is social (or it can be) and that is something that will keep us alive longer. For those of us who are shy, join a choir or attend a church (or other place of worship) service, and you will sing with people. Relationships are, especially as of a “certain age” more important that exercise and eating right for longevity. Som, find some people to sing with.**
I am ending today’s blog with an old Karen Carpenter song quote, “Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear, just sing a song.”***
I hope to hear you singing someday soon, or just write and we can have a conversation about song, about your life and what you want for the new year!
Have a wonderful week full of song,
Patricia patricia@jehle-coaching.com
PS, can you tell that my “Word for the Year” is sing?
* https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251128-how-singing-can-improve-your-health BBC article to read for more interesting information
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU How to make Stress your Friend
*** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LYekeK0HWo Sing a Song