Big fan of singing in the shower or belting it out at karaoke night? Good news: you might just be boosting your immunity while you’re at it.
The study
One study published in the journal ecancermedicalscience researched the impact that singing can have on the immune system. The study looked at both cancer patients and their caregivers, all of whom regularly took part in one-hour choir sessions. Visual analogue mood scales, saliva samples, and stress scales were analyzed before and after singing.
The results
The results of the study were encouraging: singing was associated with an increase in cytokines—proteins produced by the immune system that signal immune cells to fight infection and work to keep the immune system healthy and functioning.
Try it out
Ready to sing your heart out? Here are some ways to reap the potential benefits:
- Join a choir. Check with local community centers, art schools, or online groups and sign up for your neighborhood choir.
- Gather a group. Grab your friends and plan a sing-along or try out a karaoke night in your area.
- Go solo. Though more research is needed to determine if the same benefits apply for singing alone, the associations are positive. Belt it out on your commute or consider taking a voice lesson!
Bonus benefits!
Your mental health may benefit, too! One 2024 study found that choir participants self-reported positive mental health and well-being changes. In fact, the more hours spent singing week and the longer they participated in the choir, the more positive the results!
This article was originally published in the April 2025 issue of delicious living magazine.
