第2960期:The healing power of singing

From singing at concerts to singing 'Happy birthday'. Around the world, humans have been singing in unison for millennia. Some anthropologists even think our ancestors may have sung before they could speak. "Lullabies are sung to children, and then songs are sung at funerals", says Alex Street, from the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, who thinks that our positive response to music is no accident. Music is not only enjoyable, but beneficial for our health.

从在音乐会上唱歌到唱“生日快乐”。 在世界各地，人类几千年来一直在齐声歌唱。 一些人类学家甚至认为我们的祖先可能在会说话之前就已经唱歌了。 剑桥音乐治疗研究所的亚历克斯·斯特里特说：“给孩子们唱摇篮曲，然后在葬礼上唱歌曲”，他认为我们对音乐的积极反应并非偶然。 音乐不仅令人愉悦，而且对我们的健康有益。

There is growing evidence that singing can energise us, improve immune function and increase feelings of happiness, according to 'A Review of the Physiological Effects and Mechanisms of Singing', published in 2018. It's thought that the repeated and controlled breathing that singing requires releases endorphins, which are chemicals released by the brain associated with pleasure and wellbeing. It may even provide a physical workout comparable to a brisk walk. And singing as part of a group or choir may have additional effects. Researchers in 'The ice-breaker effect: singing mediates fast social bonding' found that singing together accelerated faster social cohesion among strangers.

根据 2018 年发表的《歌唱的生理效应和机制综述》，越来越多的证据表明，歌唱可以让我们充满活力、改善免疫功能并增加幸福感。人们认为，唱歌所需的重复和受控呼吸会释放内啡肽，内啡肽是大脑释放的与愉悦和幸福感相关的化学物质。 它甚至可以提供与快走相当的身体锻炼。 作为团体或合唱团的一部分唱歌可能会产生额外的效果。 研究人员在“破冰效应：唱歌能促进快速社交”中发现，一起唱歌可以加速陌生人之间更快的社交凝聚力。

Some studies have also found that regular musical activity can help to delay the onset of various neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. And it's not too late for those already living with such conditions. Cathy McGlynn is a music therapist based in Ireland who leads a choir of people with Parkinson's. The disease can lead to respiratory and vocal problems, both of which are benefited by singing practice. For those suffering with dementia, singing can enhance the type of memory which helps us recall names and specific personal experiences, according to a literature review on singing and cognitive health called 'A Song for the Mind'. Music therapist Grace Meadows watched as a woman with dementia got up out of her chair and started dancing at a musical performance. "It was the first time the carers had ever seen her move, unaided."

一些研究还发现，定期的音乐活动有助于延缓帕金森病和痴呆症等各种神经系统疾病的发作。 对于那些已经生活在这种情况下的人来说还不算太晚。 凯茜·麦克格林 (Cathy McGlynn) 是爱尔兰的一名音乐治疗师，她领导着一个由帕金森氏症患者组成的合唱团。 这种疾病会导致呼吸和声音问题，而唱歌练习对这两种问题都有好处。 根据一篇名为《心灵之歌》的关于歌唱和认知健康的文献综述，对于患有痴呆症的人来说，唱歌可以增强记忆力，帮助我们回忆起名字和具体的个人经历。 音乐治疗师格蕾丝·梅多斯 (Grace Meadows) 看着一名患有痴呆症的妇女从椅子上站起来，开始在音乐表演中跳舞。 “这是护理人员第一次看到她在没有帮助的情况下移动。”

Music may not be a medicine in the traditional sense, but one thing seems clear: humans are wired for connection, and music helps to create it. So, if you're sceptical about the power of music, it may be time to change your tune.

音乐可能不是传统意义上的良药，但有一点似乎很清楚：人类生来就有联系，而音乐有助于创造这种联系。 因此，如果您对音乐的力量持怀疑态度，那么也许是时候改变您的态度了。