Here are 4 health-boosting “holiday gifts” you can get from performing your own “Christmas Karaoke”:
According to health guru Tony Horton
Holiday Gift #1: Relieves Stress
A study in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine found belting out “Deck the Halls” or “Sleigh Ride” makes you breathe deeper, which increases your oxygen intake. And that reduces your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. 1
Holiday Gift #2: Helps Lower Blood Pressure
It turns out, singing Christmas songs doesn’t just lower your cortisol levels… it can also help lower your blood pressure. So when you feel your “Holiday Stress Level” starting to rise, just break into song. (Your blood pressure will thank you.) 2
Holiday Gift #3: Sharpens Your Memory
Think of singing Christmas songs as a “memory workout.” Trying to remember the lyrics to “The 12 Days of Christmas” is fantastic exercise for your brain. (Seriously, how many “Lords a’leaping” and “Pipers piping” are there?) 3
Holiday Gift #4: Makes You Feel Great!
Wailing out songs like “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Jingle Bells,” or “White Christmas” increases your body’s production of oxytocin, the “feel-good” hormone. 4
So if you find yourself getting a little stressed… just belt out a Christmas song as loud — and jolly — as you can.
1Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S., Hodapp V., Grebe, D. Effects of choir singing or listening on secretory immunoglobulin A, cortisol, and emotional state. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 2004 Dec;27(6):623-35.
2George, R., Case Study Reports Singing Lowers Patient’s Blood Pressure Prior To Surgery. Medical News Today. March 31, 2011.
3Health Benefits of Singing in the Shower. Steth News. May 8, 2015.
4Kreutz, G., Bongard, S., Rohrmann, S., Hodapp V., Grebe, D. Effects of choir singing or listening on secretory immunoglobulin A, cortisol, and emotional state. Journal of Behavioral Medicine. 2004 Dec;27(6):623-35.
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