Unexpected health benefits of singing
Your morning sing-song in the shower may be doing more for your mental health than you may think.
Or sound.
More than 70 Parkinson's patients in Queensland are involved in a Griffith University trial to see how singing could help battle Parkinson's disease.
The participants need to sing for one hour a day over six months.
Queensland Conservatorium Research Centre's Professor Don Stewart said that, so far, all participants experience a better quality of life during the trial – regardless of singing ability.
"But in particular one that stands out is stigma or perceived stigma for example where people felt they had to conceal their Parkinson's from others or avoid situations which involve eating or drinking in public," he said.
"They felt less worried about people's reaction to them. Felt less embarrassed.
"We also got significant improvements in terms of mobility."
The group held their first live concert last week at the Queensland Conservatorium, singing Neil Diamond songs in honour of the hitmaker who had to cancel his 50th anniversary tour this year due to his own Parkinson's diagnosis.
Part of the study is to do vocal warm ups, breating exercise and the opportuniy to engage in social activities.
Parkinson's disease affects around 700,000 Australians, with people over 50 being at risk.
Read more at www.abc.net.au
Singing is actually dangerous to my health - when I sing, people threaten me with violence to make me stop.
However, there are benefits - my partner sings, so I have some great relaxing time alone, when she goes off to her choir.