Be Your Own American Idol

by: AndreaDow
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Word Count: 374

Wednesday, May 14th

Looking for a reason to belt out the songs on the radio as if you were going to be the next American Idol? Why is that you always feel good after humming a few tunes in the car or shower? Could it be true that singing could actually be good for you health? The answer is yes and you don't have to have David Cook's talent to reap the benefits of singing.....you just need to sing!

According to O Magazine and author Sari Harbar, music therapy is gaining popularity across the country. Music therapists are now working with everyone including the elderly, those diagnosed with disease or kids with disabilities. Researchers believe that singing some tunes may help control blood pressure and decrease depression. Diane Austin, adjunct professor of music therapy at New York University says that "nothing accesses the inner world of feelings, sensations, memories, and associations as directly as music does". I love how Austin describes the voice as a bridge from your heart to your head.

Singing instead of antidepressants? That is what authors of one music study suggest. The study was published in the British Journal of Nursing and showed that singing therapy had a profound affect on reducing anxiety and depression in patients following a major surgery. Another study showed that the elderly who sang or played instruments in a group once a week actually slowed down the blood pressure rise associated with aging.

Here are two exercises that Austin recommends trying if you don't have access to a vocal psychotherapist....
1. Breathe out loud: "Lie on your back on the floor. Relax, breathe deeply, and as you exhale make a sound. Just let any sound out that wants to come out. Play. Be imaginative like a child".
2. Tone: "While lying down, sing a long, sustained note on a vowel sound. Take a breath and continue, allowing the pitch to change as it wants. Keep it up for about ten minutes. This is like a meditation".

*Note, if you went to audition for American Idol and did the above two exercises, you would most likely get your 30 seconds of fame as part of the horrendous auditions they show in the beginning of the season!

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