Singing for Lung Health: How Singing Can Improve Your Breathing

PatrĂ­cia Silva, PhD avatar

by PatrĂ­cia Silva, PhD |

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You’re probably thinking…singing? really? But according to the British Lung Foundation, recent studies have been focusing on how our bodies respond to music and how they can use it to treat lung diseases.

MORE: Six ways to help you take care of your lungs

Researchers have found that there are five major benefits of singing:

1. Reduces shortness of breath. Singing helps strengthen the muscles the human body uses to breathe, meaning you can learn to breathe more deeply and more slowly than before. The strengthening of these muscles also helps to control breathing.

2. Increases the strength of your voice. Singing teaches you to control and project your voice as well as giving you more control over your speaking voice.

3. Improves your posture. Singing helps strengthen the muscles that are also responsible for posture.

4. Increases lung capacity. By learning to control your breathing, you can increase your lung capacity at the same time. It can also help reduce coughing, by teaching you how to avoid triggers like breathing in cold air through your mouth.

5. Boosts response to infection. This will help reduce the need for medication when you have a flare-up.

And in addition to improving the physical symptoms caused by lung diseases like pulmonary hypertension, singing is fun!

MORE: Understanding what pulmonary hypertension does to your body

Pulmonary Hypertension News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.


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