Bolster your immune system by singing

Singing boosts immune competence, reducing vulnerability to illness (Kreutz et al., 2004).

People who sing have higher levels of Secretory Immunoglobulin A (SigA), an antibody that responds to the threat of infection in the upper respiratory tract (Kuhn, 2002). Notably, Beck (2000) found SigA increased by 150% during singing rehearsals, and 240% during vocal performance!

Unfortunately just listening to music doesn’t have the same effect. It’s the act of singing that stimulates the vagus nerve, engages deep rhythmic breathing and creates vocal vibration leading to an increase in SigA. The good news is that you don’t have to sing in tune or sound good to yourself. Just singing any way you like will do the job. So head down to the beach, jump in your car, or get together with a friend and sing!

Beck, R. J., Cesario, T. C., Yousefi, A., & Enamoto, H. (2000). Choral singing, performance perception, and immune system changes in salivary immunoglobulin a and cortisol. Music Perception, 18(1), 87–106. https://doi.org/10.2307/40285902
Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S. et al. (2004). Effects of Choir Singing or Listening on Secretory Immunoglobulin A, Cortisol, and Emotional State. J Behav Med, 27, 623–635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9
Kuhn, D. (2002), The Effects of Active and Passive Participation in Musical Activity on the Immune System as Measured by Salivary Immunoglobulin A (SlgA), Journal of Music Therapy, 39 (1), 30–39, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/39.1.30