“Did you know singing can physically change your brain chemistry?”

A few years ago, a friend mentioned this to me in passing. She explained that there is some scientific evidence suggesting that singing is beneficial for mood, stress relief, and overall happiness.

“It’s something about the diaphragm and vibrations inside your body,” she explained.

I raised an eyebrow in skepticism; it sounded a bit woo-woo to me. I nodded and smiled. She had taken up singing lessons. Who was I to judge whether or not singing could help her mood?

Fast forward a few years - I now attend synagogue almost every Friday night, and week by week, I find myself singing a little bit more. As the melodies become ingrained in my memory, it almost becomes hard not to sing. Even if it’s just a little “doo doo doo, doo doo do”—it rolls out of my mouth, and I do feel a vibration inside of me. Not only that, sometimes I feel little chills, or goosebumps on my arms. As the service progresses and the synagogue fills with everyone’s voices, something magical happens. It feels like we've become unified in song. I feel warmth in my chest, relaxation in my body, and a decrease in mental chatter. It doesn’t always happen right away, but about an hour in, I feel serene. The way I explain it to friends is that it's both relaxing and uplifting at the same time. Perhaps that’s what an espresso martini feels like? (I wouldn’t know—I’ve never had one.)

Curious about why singing evokes such wonderful feelings, I investigated the neurochemistry behind it. Singing, it turns out, releases endorphins—the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals—lifting your mood and melting away stress. Group singing has an added bonus: it boosts oxytocin, the hormone that promotes bonding, helping you feel deeply connected to those around you.

Singing also encourages rhythmic, deep breathing, reducing cortisol, the stress hormone. This means less anxiety and a calmer body and mind. And those diaphragm vibrations my friend mentioned? Deeper breaths activate your body's relaxation response, gently nudging you from stressed to serene.

Singing even benefits brain health, engaging multiple brain regions—memory, language, and emotion—all at once, enhancing mental sharpness and emotional balance.

A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted a study showing that parents who regularly sang to their babies found their children calmer, happier, and less fussy. As the lead researcher put it, “Singing to your baby really works, and it’s a very chill thing to do.”

Since becoming more aware of how singing affects us, I've begun noticing it everywhere. There are signs in K-town advertising karaoke nights, groups gathered around musicians in Central Park singing Beatles songs together, toddlers in the playground chanting nursery rhymes, and choirs rehearsing in neighborhood churches, their melodies drifting into the street. I find myself humming more often, whether walking in Central Park or tidying my apartment. Melodies like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” suddenly pop into my head, helping regulate my breathing, lift my spirits, and spread happiness around me (even if it's just to my dog, Ori).

So here is my proposal: if you’re feeling stressed or down, why not warm up those vocal cords and sing a song? What is the downside… really? And if you’re thinking, “But I don’t have a good voice,” -- trust me, it truly doesn’t matter. Singing isn’t about perfection—it’s about joy, connection, and feeling good. Your brain doesn't judge pitch, it just celebrates the music.

So, on that note (pun intended!), I’ll include here a link to my synagogue’s beautiful new Spotify album, 'Sing a Little More.'

Perhaps we could all sing a little more.

Shabbat shalom,

Michelle

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