Singing for Well Being

Lesson Title: Singing for Well Being

Overview

This lesson explores Singing for Well Being, as a powerful tool for emotional, physical and mental well‑being. Many health professionals and music therapists agree that singing can be calming, uplifting and deeply therapeutic. Singing is accessible to everyone and does not require prior musical experience. It is rooted in breath, expression and connection rather than performance. It can reduce stress by helping to regulate the breath, which in turn supports the nervous system. Through gentle vocal exploration and breathing exercises, learners are encouraged to reconnect with their bodies. Regulate their nervous systems and experience the mood‑boosting benefits of using the voice in a safe, supportive environment.

As a result, people often report feeling less lonely and more confident after singing regularly. In addition, the act of focusing on sound and vibration can gently move attention away from worries. This mindful focus can promote relaxation and emotional release. Over time, regular singing can strengthen the voice and improve posture, which also supports overall well-being.

Therefore, this ‘Singing for Well Being’ lesson can be a safe space to explore the voice, release tension and boost mood. By combining simple breathing, gentle vocal exercises and enjoyable songs, participants can discover how their own voice becomes a tool for self-care and resilience.

Aims and Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will:

  • Understand how singing can positively impact mental health, stress levels and emotional regulation
  • Develop greater awareness of breath and posture as foundations for vocal well‑being
  • Experience singing as a form of self‑care rather than performance
  • Build confidence in using their voice freely and without judgement
  • Feel a sense of connection, relaxation, and uplift through shared vocal activity

Lesson Content and Activities

The session begins with a short grounding exercise to help learners arrive in the space:

  1. Stand and gently stretch your arms to the ceiling or sky. Make sure that your spine is straight and your feet at shoulders width.
  2. This introduces posture awareness and we introduce it to release physical tension.
  3. Now, followed by slow, conscious breathing to calm the nervous system and prepare the voice.
  4. Breath in through your pursed lips. (figure 1)
  5. Allow your abdomen area to fill up.
  6. Blow the breath out, allowing your abdomen area to deflate.
  7. Do this for four times. If you do not get light headed, then continue for about seven.
Pursed Lip (figure 1)

Warm Ups

Let’s continue with soft vocal warm‑ups using hums, sighs. These exercises are designed to feel soothing and restorative. Helping to reduce anxiety and encourage relaxed sound production. The focus remains on sensation and ease rather than accuracy.

  1. Sit, stand or lay in your most comfortable position.
  2. The warm up is over, so it is time to relax.
  3. Take a breath, as advised above.
  4. While exhaling, allow your voice to sing ‘hummmmm’. ‘Hummmmm’. ‘Hummee’. ‘Hummii.’ ‘Hummooo’.
  5. Focus on the vibration in your chest and enjoy the feeling and the sound.
  6. Feel the tingle on your lips and allow the gentle vibration.
  7. Now, breath in and breath out, while saying ‘Huuuh’. ‘Huuuh’. ‘Huuh’.
  8. The aim is to sound relieved and relaxed. The sound is to come from you throat, but seem to come from the chest area.
  9. Now say ‘Huuuuuuuh’ five times.

Sing a song

  1. Let’s finish with ‘Myeee’.
  2. This time you will be singing ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’. However, you will be singing the words ‘Myeee’ over the tune.
  3. In a relaxed position, sing slowly and enjoy the sound. Allow yourself to feel the lows and enjoy the highs.
  4. Continue for as long as you want to.
  5. You may feel sleepy, but that is a normal sign of being fully relaxed.

You can move on to sing ballads and soft songs that you can feel rather than you just like. Choose carefully and purposefully. Don’t force yourself to sing the whole song. Just the bits that you resonate with. Feel the sound in your chest and hear your voice in you mind. Connect with how you feel.

You are relaxing your mind and body, which is cathartic. It is inevitable that you might start remembering why you needed to in the beginning. If you can remove excess stress, then do so. Most importantly, sing you way into a better mood.

Cooling Down

Let’s close the session with a gentle cool‑down:

  1. Breath in and out, as advised above.
  2. With eyes open, slowly turn your head all the way to the left and then to the right. Only as far as you can safely and comfortably go.
  3. Imagine the room or place where you are, has now become a softer colour and is enhanced, just as your mood is.

Reflection

Time for a quiet self‑reflection. Allow yourself to notice changes in your mood, energy, or breath. Remember; singing can be used independently as a daily well‑being practice.

Outcomes and Benefits

We hope that you leave this lesson feeling more relaxed, uplifted and connected. Also, that you have now gained practical tools you can use to manage stress. As well as, improve your mood and support overall well‑being. Most importantly, we hope that you have experienced your voice as a source of comfort, expression and personal empowerment.

Key Takeaway

If you ever get overwhelmed, then this is the time to connect with someone who you trust. Explain to them how these exercises are making you feel, with the outcome that you give yourself permission to feel better.