Do you ever catch yourself humming a favorite tune under your breath when no one is around?
Do you ever sing along to the radio, or admire how professional your singing voice seems to sound in the shower?
Sometimes we can't help but want to hum and sing to ourselves, regardless of if we have a stage-worthy voice or not.
These habits are pretty popular, especially when you discover a new tune that you can't help but sing along to.
Did you know that these little habits can also be good for your body?
It's already been proven that music has multiple beneficial effects on the body, but — as it turns out — singing it yourself can also be a healthy habit!
Below are several reasons why humming can be calming, therapeutic, and encourage your body to work even better.
So turn up the radio, clear your throat, and grab your nearest makeshift microphone, because these slides will make you even more excited to belt out a tune.
Benefit #1: Improves Your Breathing
Since humming puts our lungs in a more active state than they would be if we were just breathing, it encourages you to focus on your breath.
We breathe more meaningful breaths when humming, which brings our heart rate and stress level down.
Benefit #2: Activates Your Parasympathetic Nervous System
According to Science Daily, the parasympathetic nervous system is one of three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, which lowers your heart rate and increases intestinal and glandular activity.
Humming helps activate this system, which cues your body to calm down and operate more smoothly.
Benefit #3: Gives Your Body A Workout
As any singer probably knows, singing is a workout!
It activates your core muscles in order to push the notes out, so it's almost like an ab exercise.
Benefit #4: Creates A Meditative State
In addition to making you feel more peaceful, which will help you reach a meditative state more easily, humming also helps clear your thoughts and find your center.
The next time your mind is feeling crowded, try humming a few long notes to see if it helps clear your head.
Benefit #5: Unclogs Your Sinuses
A study in The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that humming could help clear your sinuses, according to the New York Times.
This is because more air passes through your cavities when you hum and much more nitric oxide is produced, which helps keep airwaves clear.
Benefit #6: Oxygenates The Blood
Many activities put your lungs to work, helping to oxygenate your blood and essentially helping your body perform better.
Since singing engages your lungs and airwaves, it helps welcome oxygen into deeper parts of the body.
Benefit #7: Reduces Stress
Since singing and humming lowers your heart rate and helps you focus on healthy breathing, they are natural de-stressors.
And while you're actively singing your favorite tune instead of worrying or overthinking, you can distract your mind from getting anxious.
Benefit #8: Releases More Nitric Oxide
As mentioned before, singing and humming releases nitric oxide, which can help clogged sinuses.
But there are plenty of other reasons that gas is good for our bodies; it reduces inflammation, regulates blood pressure, and even helps our bodies fight off bacteria.
Benefit #9: Releases Endorphines
The last reason why singing and humming is healthy is probably the most apparent: it makes you happy!
This is not just a placebo effect, either; singing your favorite tune actually releases endorphins, a key chemical when it comes to making your mind happy.
So whether you are a shy singer or a proud and public hummer, you can indulge in the habit when knowing it's doing good things to your body.
If you love singing in the shower, make sure to SHARE with friends and family on Facebook.
