Singing for Wellbeing: Why Everyone Should Embrace Their Voice

Singing for Wellbeing: Why Everyone Should Embrace Their Voice

“The only thing better than singing is more singing.” - Ella Fitzgerald 

Why Don't We Sing? Addressing Common Barriers

As a singer and music therapist, I love expressing myself through song. The benefits of singing have always been clear to me, although I haven’t always been confident enough to sing in front of others. That comfort came later. Even now, I still get nervous when I sing in front of others, even though I do it regularly. As a child, I exclusively watched movies with music, especially those with songs my toddler voice could easily learn. Despite this early love for singing, I realize that not everyone is born with that same desire to sing constantly. Some are born with the desire, but may feel as though they need help or support to achieve a sound that feels and sounds good. Others naturally have a voice that is strong and pleasing to the ear. Some want to sing, but may feel too shy or uncertain about openly sharing their singing voice. Some have sung in front of others and were met with harsh critiques that may have discouraged them from experiencing the joy of singing. There are even those that may not have the ability to sing due to injury or vocal damage. Some neurodiverse individuals may not be able to vocalize sounds, speech, or singing. No matter where you fall on the spectrum of interest, experience, ability, or desire to sing, my hope is to empower and encourage you. Singing offers benefits for your mind, body, and soul, regardless of your perceived vocal ability. 

The Ancient Roots of Singing: Our Innate Musicality

To understand why I want to encourage you to use your singing voice, it’s important to recognize how ingrained our voice is to our humanness. Early vocal sounds and forms of singing tones predate formal spoken language. Early vocalizations, such as sustained notes and toned utterances, served as forms of communication, emotional expression, and creativity. Singing in early cultures was more than entertainment, it was a way to build social bonds and explore what it meant to be human. It was a way to connect with others, to share time, and to convey one’s needs and desires. 

Some cultures believed, and this belief persists in some communities today, that individuals who sang together and harmonized were more likely to live peacefully and treat each other with kindness and gentleness. Singing has also been tied to spiritual rituals and practices, worship of higher powers, and honoring nature and Earth. 

Many professional vocalists share that their earliest experiences of singing were in places of worship or church. Singing is a way to check in with our body and connect with our mind, soul, emotions, and thoughts – a key aspect explored in music therapy. Together, sharing music is truly a beautiful part of what it means to be human. Singing, like appreciating and creating any type of art, is one of the qualities that set us apart from other animals.

You CAN Sing! Embracing Your Voice, No Matter What

The Pressure to Sound Perfect: Why It Shouldn't Stop You From Singing

As a music therapist, I have met many people that share a discomfort with using their singing voice. Many believe singing to be an innate talent only granted to a lucky few. Singing is frequently thought of as entertainment in our society, so a pleasant voice is often regarded as essential. I argue that the commercialization of music and popular singing has hindered people’s desire to willingly share their voice. It has dampened all of our unique inner singing voices and made many feel that they shouldn’t or couldn’t sing because they do not sound a certain way. In my opinion, singing should be one of the most common activities that we share to express ourselves and as a way to spend time with family and friends.

Singing for Mental Wellbeing: Boosting Mood and Reducing Stress

Additionally, singing can and should be used as more than entertainment. As many know and can relate to today, singing is deeply tied to our emotions. It can be an opportunity to process how we feel and navigate complex emotional states through song. This opportunity isn't limited to those with a conventionally "pleasing" voice; this is for anyone that is willing and able to use their natural singing voice.

Key Benefits of Singing for Your Mind and Body

• Singing provides an instant emotional uplift and enhances personal joy 

• Singing is good for stress reduction

• Singing supports positive memory formation

• Singing promotes vocal communication skills

• Singing can improve speech

• Singing may improve respiratory health 

• Singing enhances bonding and social connections

• Singing encourages self exploration and expression 

• Singing supports mindfulness

  
  

The Role of Singing in Music Therapy Sessions 

Singing is used often in music therapy. Most music therapists utilize singing experiences in sessions in many ways including:

• singing preferred songs in therapy 

• vocalizing for voice exploration in music therapy

• vocal warmups for breath control in music therapy 

• improvisational singing for self-expression in music therapy 

• singing for relaxation in music therapy

• And so much more!

Vocal Psychotherapy: Exploring the Subconscious Through Singing

Vocal psychotherapy, a model of music psychotherapy developed by Dr. Diane Austin, has been shown to reveal subconscious thoughts, ideas, emotions, and trauma, as well as encourage participants to process those things in a uniquely personal vocal exploration. Though it’s a very specific approach to music therapy, many music therapists utilize ideas and concepts from Dr. Austin in their work such as improvising and exploring the use of the voice to express inner and subconscious thoughts. Singing is used in any context of music therapy and can support a variety of goals. And of course, it’s fun! It’s a great way to connect with others and with oneself. 

Getting Started with Singing: Simple Steps to Find Your Voice

It takes inner strength to express ourselves through our unique singing voice. It’s particularly powerful because we are the music - a truly vocal and personal expression. It’s a genuinely personal and exposing experience to be the creation of the music and to offer our inner song to the world. It is my belief that when we allow our inner voice to shine, we can heal it, nurture it, and strengthen it. This inner voice can become our confidence and motivation to navigate challenging life events, connect with others, and advocate for changes for ourselves and our world. 

Start Singing Today: Simple Ways to Incorporate Singing Into Your Life

If you have never had the opportunity, I highly encourage you to seek out the experience of group singing. It is humbling, and moving, and can be deeply meaningful. If you are ever unsure about whether you should sing, whether you are good enough to sing, or whether singing may help you in any way, this is a gentle encouragement that you should give it a try! Start with any way of singing that you feel comfortable with:

• singing along to music on the radio 

• humming your favorite tunes while cleaning the house 

• improvising silly vocal tunes with random phrases about how you feel when you are in the shower. 

  
  

Just sing! Your inner voice deserves to be heard, no matter what you think you sound like – even if your car's steering wheel is the only listener.

Bri Webster, MMT, LPMT, MT-BC