Evidence suggests that choir participation can have a significant impact on physical, mental and emotional health, writes Michael Kelly
IN THE interests of probity, I should start by saying that I am a member of a choir and, as such, can hardly be considered a neutral commentator on whether choral singing has a positive impact on mental health.
But let me tell you this much: for 24 hours or so after our weekly rehearsals, I have what I call my post-rehearsal "high". Its symptoms include a lightness of mood and pep in the step, accompanied by the occasional tendency to break into song or whistle a tune.
This feel-good factor is common for most choir singers, according to Liz Powell, the chief executive of the Association of Irish Choirs, and there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that choir participation can have a significant impact on physical, mental, social and emotional health.
"As a singer and a conductor myself, I know that you might feel at a low ebb and that after rehearsals or performance you just feel fantastic," she says. "The physical and social aspects of being involved in a choir, contribute to making it such a positive mental health experience."
It is the impact on mental health that the organisation is currently focused on, having teamed up with Mental Health Ireland to launch Ireland's first National Choral Singing Day to mark World Mental Health Day this Friday.
Up to 10,000 people are involved in choirs in Ireland, according to Powell, and the appeal of choral singing has broadened in recent years. "I think people no longer see it as being just about singing. They see it as an enjoyable pastime that offers incredible mental and physical health benefits."
In a 2001 study in Canterbury in Britain, members of a university college choral society were asked whether choir participation could benefit their health. Large majorities agreed that they benefited socially (87 per cent), emotionally (75 per cent) and spiritually (49 per cent), with 58 per cent agreeing they had benefited in some physical way.
On a physical level, singing gives the lungs a workout and tones the diaphragm, abdominal and intercostal muscles. It also stimulates circulation and the breathing exercises which are part of every rehearsal help you to take in more oxygen and improve aerobic capacity.
"The physical side of it can't be underestimated," says Powell. "When you sing, your body releases endorphins, which is basically nature's version of Prozac. In addition, most singers will tell you that the buzz you get from performance would blow your mind. The pre-rehearsal warm-up and the act of singing gives your body an intense physical workout."
For some singers, these warm-up exercises might be the most (or only) exercise they will get in a week.
"You are using a lot of machinery down there when you sing and the breathing exercises deal with the complete breathing mechanism," says Niall Crowley, who conducts a number of choirs in Waterford.
"We normally breathe every three seconds or so whereas in singing we extend this to 10 or 20 seconds," he says.
"When you think about that in the context of yawning where we take in lots of air to refresh ourselves, it's little wonder we generate a sense of wellbeing from singing.
"On top of that the conductor is trying to help the learning process by providing visual, aural, physical and emotional stimulation, so it's a real shake-up for all the senses. You can't help but go away from that feeling invigorated."
One in four people in Ireland will experience mental health problems in their lifetime but mostly they hide it because of the stigma attached, says Ted Tierney, deputy chief executive of Mental Health Ireland. These problems, he says, include panic disorders, anxiety, stress, depression and more serious psychological problems.
"People with mental health issues become isolated and they tend to spend a lot of time alone. Singing as part of a group is a fantastic social outlet and as a result can reduce isolation and loneliness. With choirs you are participating and part of a group."
That social interaction is vital for our mental health, according to Liz Powell. "You are in a safe place where everyone feels connected, so people have a space in which they can participate.
"We did some research on this and everyone we talked to said that the people in their choir are like family. It is a social activity and a fun way to interact."
As a conductor, Niall Crowley says that he witnesses a noticeable shift in the mood of the group during rehearsal.
"People are smiling by the end of it. They tell me that they are able to forget about other things that might be going on in their lives for a few hours while they concentrate on singing. So it acts as a release for frustration, anxiety and stress."
Singing has particular benefits for older people according to research. The Levine School of Music in Washington, DC established a chorale for men and women aged 55 years and older and during a three-year study found that those involved showed significant health improvements, specifically reporting fewer doctor visits, less need for medication and reduced incidence of depression.
In Britain, the Singing for the Brain project run by the Alzheimer's Society brings patients together for a weekly sing-song - participants showed dramatic improvement in cognitive abilities, including memory and concentration.
Choirs around Ireland are organising choral events for National Choral Singing Day this Friday and they are open to all - whether you are experiencing mental health problems or want to safeguard your mental health in to the future.
"Our remit is to promote positive mental health," says Ted Tierney, "so we would encourage people to get involved even if they feel daunted by the prospect.
"No one event is likely to change people's lives, but these events could be an introduction for them in to the joys of choral singing."
There are more than 60 events taking place around Ireland to mark National Choral Singing Day on Friday. For a full list of events, see www.cnc.ie