Wellbeing

There ’ s probably hardly a day of our lives when we don ’ t hear some music and singing . We instinctively know it is hugely beneficial to our wellbeing . Wellbeing Life Coach David Hurst explains why music is so good for our soul .

There ’ s not an obvious connection between a noisy football crowd and a village church congregation . But there is of course the similarity between them of one thing : singing . One might be raucous chanting and the other a gentle hymn , but the feeling given to those singing as well as anyone listening in both cases is very much the same – and it feels good .

Singing causes the body to release endorphins , dopamine , oxytocin and serotonin . These are the body ’ s “ feel-good ” chemicals . Of course , music is closely connected to singing . We might listen to a song and while not always singing aloud we are singing inside . The rhythm and beat of the music matching our pulse is also beneficial .

This is why even back to when our ancestors lived in caves , there would have been the banging of some sort of drum and most often an accompanied chanting too . As it ' s so innate in us , it ' s something we all should be aware of and make great efforts to ensure we sing and make music as much as we can .

Group therapy

When music is made collectively and singing is part of a group , even as a duo , it only increases the feel-good factor . This is due to a feeling of connection . Every mental health problem including alcoholism and other addictions gives feelings of disconnection . In fact it is said : the opposite of addiction is connection .

It works in a similar wholly positive way to group therapy or the Twelve Steps group meetings . At these gatherings , people begin to – and then increasingly continue – to feel connected to others . It is the same at a football or rugby stadium , in a church , as well as at a gig or festival .

Most of us are not in the band and are not the DJ , but we are part of it , we feel the beat and we dance and sing along . For this reason , it ' s no wonder that all around the Costa del Sol and throughout Andalucia there seem to be new festivals cropping up every year , such as El Morche ' s Loona Summer Festival and Nerja ' s Chanquete World Music festival .

" Singing is the expression of the soul and inner self , which spends much of its time contained and restrained ,” says Georgie Cullum , singer / choir leader of Costa Pop Choir ( www . costapopchoir . com ), which Georgie set up to give people of all abilities and ages the chance to sing together . “ Singing allows someone to become free .”

Singing and music for inner growth

Singing and music as a form of therapy is proving increasingly popular . “ Singing can be a beautiful way to connect to emotions ,” says Nerjabased voice expression coach Malou Swart ( www . maloumusic . com ) who has combined her passion for music and inner growth . “ The voice is a great symbol that shows whether we have learnt or dared to express ourselves freely and authentically .

“ This approach of acceptance and allowance is very healing , restorative and empowering . It ’ s not about sounding perfect , but about being authentic . It ’ s more than okay to let yourself be heard , to express yourself . That is in fact a basic need .”

In the beginning was the word …

Music alone can uplift us and cause intense emotions . This is of course why it is used so effectively in films and advertising . But this can be completely intensified when a very important magic potion is added – lyrics . Words are extremely powerful .

When I ’ m helping people , one vital aspect is to make them aware of the words they are using , aloud and inwardly . It reveals so much in this context that the word “ devil ” derives from a word meaning “ accuser , slanderer ”. Too many people walk around accusing and slandering themselves , often with the words that only they can hear in their mind .

Every single word we say , whether in thought , aloud to ourselves or to another person or group , and everything we sing or chant , we have to digest . It is beneficial to our wellbeing to ensure we only “ eat ” positive words , that we do not poison ourselves with anything that ’ s toxic and negative . Think of the tongue as a boat ’ s rudder . It steers our life into the eye of the storm or keeps us in beautiful calm waters . And always remember , all you need is love …

DAVID HURST

David Hurst is a Wellbeing Life Coach with four books published on emotional and mental health recovery , including 12 Steps To 1 Hero and The Anxiety Conversation . To find out more or contact David to discuss how he can help you or someone you care about , visit : david-hurst . com

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