• Careers
  • Education
  • Research
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Thinkstockphotos 619641912 2

The Health Benefits of Holiday Singing

Dec 14, 2016 |
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

One of the most magical things about the holidays is the music. It's a special genre that we are able to enjoy just once a year, and it tends to define the atmosphere of the season in a way that nothing else can.

There are many ways in which we can engage with the music of the holidays, but arguably one of the best ways is to sing along with the ones you love, preferably while roasting chestnuts on an open fire.

The Vocal System
The voice is a complex system. It begins with your breathing, which provides the energy for the system. By taking a deep breath and filling up your lungs before you open your mouth, you are setting up your voice for success.

The next part of the system is the larynx (or "voice box"), which contains vocal folds ("vocal cords"). The larynx coordinates with your breathing, causing the vocal folds to vibrate and creating sound for your voice.

Finally, the rest of the throat, mouth, and even the nasal cavity contribute to your voice by providing an echo chamber to amplify the sound and form the sound into words.

Keeping Your Voice Limber
In general, singing is a healthy thing to do because it engages all parts of the vocal system. For example, you would find it hard to sing or even to sustain a note if you aren't supporting your voice with enough breath.

Many voice disorders can improve or nearly normalize with voice therapy, which sometimes incorporates singing tasks to optimize patients' voices. One of the reasons this occurs is that when you sing--and really "go for it"--you take deep breaths and often, without even thinking about it, improve the breath support behind your voice.

Sometimes this “re-energizing” of the system can significantly improve voice quality. In fact, a recent study found that singing may provide some protection against some of the changes in the voice that often occur through the aging process.

Oh, What Fun!
On a broader level, the medical community is beginning to understand that singing in groups may, in fact, provide health benefits that extend beyond the voice itself. Several low-power studies have suggested that group singing may benefit a variety of patients, including those with chronic respiratory disease, some neurological conditions, and mental health disorders.

Investigators cite improvement in health-related quality of life scores as well as subjective improvements in self-confidence, mood, and social connectedness.

Vocal Safety
In general, singing is a safe and enjoyable activity. However, it is important to mention the potential adverse effects of singing incorrectly or with too much vocal strain. Belting or singing loudly without proper training or technique can cause unnecessary muscle tension or even cause irregularities on the vocal folds, which can result in a rough, strained, or breathy voice or which can make talking or singing very fatiguing.

If you experience any of these symptoms for over two weeks, it is worth seeking the advice of an otorhinolaryngologist ("ENT doctor") with interest in voice disorders to determine how to address the problem. Part of your care plan may involve evaluation and treatment by a speech-language pathologist with voice expertise.

Contributing authors: Jeffrey P. Marino, MD & Judith Fornadley, MS, CCC-SLP at the Voice Center

Tags
holidays

You may also be interested in:

Thinkstockphotos 493061730 Road
Prevention & Wellness
Nov 21, 2016

Holiday Road Safety and Health Tips

When driving home for the holidays make it to your destination safe and sound with tips for traveling during the holiday season.
Younger man with older man
Conditions & Treatment
Jun 7, 2016

Parkinson's Disease 101

Dr. Georgia Lea answers common questions about Parkinson's disease, including what are the early signs and treatment options available.
Thinkstockphotos 530320359 Car Key With Glass Of Wine On Table After Party
Food & Fitness
Dec 28, 2015

Play It Safe This Holiday Season! Alcohol Myths and Facts

Let’s look at some common myths and facts about alcohol to keep the safety of yourself and others at the forefront this holiday season.

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health

Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637

Follow us: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Pinterest

Healthy living tips, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Hello Health Seminars
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Healthy Living Tips, Delivered Right To Your Inbox

* indicates required


Must Reads
Food and Fitness
Men’s Health
Parenting
Women’s Health

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:


Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide