The Healing Power of Singing and Testimonials from Female Musical Artists
Singing is a powerful form of expression that goes beyond the simple production of sounds.
It is a tool for healing and emotional release that has been recognized and celebrated by numerous musical artists around the world.
In this article, we explore how singing can be beneficial for emotional and mental health, and we share the experiences of some outstanding female singers in order to inspire you to start enjoying this wonderful gift you have, your voice.
The Liberation of Emotions through Singing
Singing allows an emotional release that is difficult to achieve through other means.
When we sing, we are not only using our voice, but we are also expressing our deepest emotions.
This emotional release leads to a sense of relief and well-being, helping to process and manage difficult emotions.
Let me give you an example with the emotion of anger, have you ever felt that to let go of anger you need to scream very very loudly to let it out?
(In my case yes, and if I accompany it with punches on the pillow better haha).
Let’s continue 🙂
Singing as a Form of Therapeutic and Personal Development
Singing is not only a form of artistic expression, but also a powerful therapeutic and personal development tool that is available to everyone.
Through the practice of singing, people can experience great benefits that positively impact both their mental and emotional health.
It fascinates me to think that our voice is our birth gift and that it has everything we need to help us achieve happiness in our lives.
It is our diamond in the rough.
Therapeutic Singing
Therapeutic singing, or vocal music therapy, is a modality that uses the voice to promote health and wellness as its main focus.
This practice is based on the premise that the sound and vibration of the voice influences our emotional and physical state.
Music therapists use singing techniques to help patients release tension, express repressed emotions and improve their mood.
Benefits of Therapeutic Singing:
- Improved Mood: The act of singing, especially in a group, can release oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of well-being and social connection.
- Increased self-esteem: Singing can help improve self-perception and self-confidence, it is a channel for self-expression and it is a birthright, we can all sing, without judging either good or bad, the voice can be trained, the important thing is to use it and enjoy it.
You will surprise yourself if you start using it.
- Breathing and Posture Development: Vocal technique requires deep breathing and proper posture, which contributes to better physical health and greater body control.
- Stress reduction: Singing reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, and increases the production of endorphins, the happiness hormones.
This helps relieve stress and anxiety, something many of us are unfortunately used to.
I would like to expand more on the subject of stress and singing, because it is the key connection that has allowed me to heal from many problems, because I can assure you that I have been living in a state of anxiety and stress all my life, as if it were something normal, and it has been as a result of several crises that I have had that I have discovered that singing has saved me.
The connection between stress, the nervous system, the vagus nerve and the voice:
Stress and the Nervous System
When we experience stress, our body enters a state of “fight or flight,” an automatic response controlled by the autonomic nervous system, specifically the sympathetic branch.
This response increases heart rate, blood pressure and respiration, preparing the body to face a perceived threat.
However, as in my case, if stress becomes chronic, this response remains activated, which can lead to a number of health problems.
This is where the vagus nerve comes into play.
The Vagus Nerve: The Relaxation Channel
The vagus nerve is one of the longest and most complex nerves in the body, extending from the brain through the heart, lungs and various other organs to the abdomen.
It is a crucial part of the parasympathetic nervous system, known as the “rest and digest system,” which counteracts the fight or flight response of the sympathetic system.
When the vagus nerve is activated, it reduces the heart rate, promotes digestion and helps calm the body, promoting a state of relaxation and well-being.
The Role of the Voice in Stress Regulation
Interestingly, it has been found that the voice can also influence the state of the vagus nerve.
Activities such as singing, humming, or even speaking in a calm, low tone can stimulate the vagus nerve, promoting relaxation and helping to reduce stress.
This is one of the reasons why singing is so important for health!
In my case, it has been crucial, in fact, I felt that if I didn’t sing every day I would get sick, because of the amount of stress I got used to.
So I feel very fortunate to be able to dedicate myself to it and help other people use their voice as well.
So, the next time you feel stressed, I encourage you to try humming some soft tunes to help your body return to a state of calm.
Let me know how it goes 🙂
Singing also as a Tool for Personal Development
Singing also plays an important role in personal development.
Learning to sing can be a pleasant and healthy journey of unlimited self-discovery, where getting to know yourself, surprising yourself, losing yourself, finding yourself, enjoying yourself and growing are all part of this wonderful path within everyone’s reach.
Testimonials from Female Artists
Beyoncé
Beyoncé, known for her powerful voice and stage presence, has used singing as a form of personal and social empowerment and for healing.
Two examples are:
- Her album “Lemonade” (2016) which addresses themes of infidelity and female empowerment, where Beyoncé commented, “This album was a way for me to heal myself. Each song is an expression of my emotional and personal journey.”
- Her new album “Cowboy Carter” (2024) stems from an experience of rejection at a Country Music Industry event, where the color of her skin was the main issue.
She decided to turn this experience into music and create her own album of country music, inviting artists of color and country singers who until now had remained in the shadows to give them a voice.
And claiming that the origin of country music comes from people of color.
Shakira
Shakira, the acclaimed Colombian singer, has spoken about how singing has helped her through difficult times in her life.
“Music has always been my refuge. When I’m singing, I feel like I can release all my emotions and connect with my true self,” she has said in several interviews.
Her music and lyrics, full of passion and energy, reflect this deep connection to her emotions and how she is able to successfully convey them so that we empathize with her.
Adele
British singer Adele has also shared how singing has been therapeutic for her.
During her career, she has faced personal challenges, including anxiety issues.
In an interview, Adele mentioned, “Singing is my way of letting off steam. It’s like every time I sing, I’m telling my story and releasing a part of me.”
With her, I feel very much mirrored.
Silvia Pérez Cruz
Spanish singer Silvia Pérez Cruz has spoken about the importance of singing in her life.
“Singing is my way of expressing what I can’t say with words. It is a way to free my soul and heal my wounds,” she has shared on several occasions.
Her unique and emotive style touches the soul and you can really feel her deep connection to the music.
She is one of my favorites.
Nathy Peluso
The Argentine artist known for her versatility and energy, has also used singing to explore and release her emotions. “For me, singing is like therapy. It allows me to connect with my deepest emotions and express them in a way that frees me,” she has stated in interviews. In fact, with her new album “Grasa” (2024) she tells us that she had to discard a whole album prior to this one, where she was healing her heart and thought she had lost her essence of the pain that came out in her lyrics. When she was ready and healed, that’s when “Grasa” began to take shape. (If you haven’t heard the album, go right now and play the song “Envidia”, you will melt)
Ruth Lorenzo
The Spanish singer has spoken about how singing has helped her overcome difficult moments and find her true self. “Singing has allowed me to discover parts of myself that I didn’t know. It’s a form of therapy that helps me face my fears and grow as a person.”
Aitana
The young Spanish star also shared how singing has been a tool for her personal and professional development. “Singing has given me the confidence to be authentic and to share my story with the world. Through music, I have learned to be brave and to follow my dreams.”
I hope these examples of powerful women who have gone after their dreams inspire you. And to finish, for the most skeptical, let me tell you about some studies that talk about singing and its health properties.
Estudios interesantes sobre el Canto como herramienta Terapéutica
“Singing and Emotional Well-being”: La investigación publicada en *The Journal of Music Therapy* (2004) encontró que cantar regularmente está asociado con mejoras en el estado de ánimo y la reducción de la ansiedad. Los autores sugieren que la combinación de la respiración controlada, la modulación vocal, y el componente social del canto contribuyen a estos beneficios, posiblemente a través de la activación del nervio vago .
“Singing and Vagal Tone”: Un estudio publicado en *Frontiers in Psychology* (2013) investigó cómo el canto en grupo puede aumentar el tono vagal, promoviendo un estado de relajación y bienestar. Los participantes en este estudio mostraron una disminución en los niveles de cortisol (la hormona del estrés) y un aumento en la actividad vagal después de cantar, lo que respalda la idea de que el canto puede ser una herramienta efectiva para manejar el estrés .
“Vagal Tone and Stress Resilience”: Un estudio destacado publicado en *Psychophysiology* (2001) por Thayer y Lane exploró cómo un tono vagal alto (una medida de la actividad del nervio vago) está asociado con una mayor capacidad para regular las emociones y manejar el estrés. La investigación sugiere que las personas con un tono vagal más alto son más resilientes al estrés y tienen una mejor capacidad para volver a un estado de calma después de un episodio estresante .
“Vocal Expression and Stress”: Un estudio publicado en *Emotion* (2011) por Kemeny et al., exploró cómo la voz cambia bajo estrés y cómo la modulación de la voz puede ayudar a regular las emociones. Los investigadores encontraron que la voz se vuelve más tensa y aguda en situaciones estresantes, pero que técnicas de relajación vocal pueden reducir la tensión y ayudar a gestionar mejor el estrés .
Un estudio de Sandgren (2009) encontró que los pacientes que participaron en sesiones de canto terapéutico reportaron una mejora significativa en su bienestar emocional y una reducción de los síntomas de depresión. Otro estudio realizado por Gick (2011) mostró que el canto grupal puede fortalecer el sistema inmunológico, mejorar la función respiratoria y aumentar la resistencia al dolor.
Conclusión
El canto es mucho más que una habilidad musical; es una herramienta poderosa para la sanación emocional, el desarrollo personal y la mejora del bienestar general. A través del canto, podemos liberar emociones reprimidas, reducir el estrés, aumentar su autoestima y desarrollar habilidades comunicativas y de autoexploración. Tanto estudios científicos como experiencias personales de artistas demuestran el impacto positivo del canto en nuestras vidas.
Así que, ya sea en la ducha, en un escenario o en una sesión de terapia, encontrar tu voz puede ser el primer paso hacia una vida más plena y feliz, ¡te invito a probarla!¡ Desde hoy mismo!
Espero que te haya gustado el artículo, me encantaría saber tus reflexiones. Te leo 🙂
Un abrazo,
Julia.