What if there was something you could do to increase your happiness, beat stress and make you feel connected? Good news! Singing together does all that – and more! 

At National Youth Choir we believe in the power of singing to improve mental health and wellbeing. People often report feeling happy, positive and motivated after singing together, and it’s no wonder: researchers have found that singing releases endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, AKA the “happy hormones”. They boost your mood, activate the reward pathways in the brain and contribute to your overall wellbeing. This is true when you sing alone, but according to scientists, the effects are massively increased when you sing with others. What’s more, singing is a cathartic activity, allowing you to explore and express your feelings in a safe environment. There’s a song out there for every experience.

Singing is also a major stress-buster. It lowers levels of cortisol - the hormone linked to stress – which helps you feel calmer, while deep breathing can help activate the body’s relaxation response, slowing down your heart rate, increasing focus and even helping with anxiety. Singing develops the part of your brain that controls your ability to self-regulate and think creatively. It’s the perfect mindful activity. 

Perhaps the best thing about singing is the community that comes with it. A UK government survey in 2024 found that over 80% of the whole population feel lonely at some point in their lives, and the British Medical Association states that loneliness can cause severe physical and mental health issues. This is an enormous challenge for many, but research tells us that singing together builds connections and trust, fast-tracking social bonding. Singing is a particularly good ice-breaker, and has even been shown to synchronise the heartbeats of those singing together. Developing skills through teamwork, facing shared challenges and celebrating successes together leads to a fantastic sense of accomplishment, encouraging both self-assurance and social connection.  

Singing together can lead to catharsis, contentment, community and confidence - and we’ve saved the best bit until last! EVERYONE can sing! We can all benefit from the amazing mental health boost that singing together has to offer, regardless of what, when or where we sing.  

At National Youth Choir, 91% of the young people who come on our residential courses report a positive impact on their happiness and wellbeing, and we invite YOU to become part of this amazing nationwide singing community by joining a choir near you. We've even created an interactive map so you can browse singing opportunities near you.

Choirs come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, meaning everyone can find a place where they feel they belong, find their tribe and make lifelong friendships. Now that’s something worth singing about! 

New friends are just around the corner

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