Need an Instant Pick-me-up? Try Singing.

As I was driving to work this morning, NPR played one of my favorite sing along songs from the “Oh Brother” soundtrack. I was cruising down the road howling “Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side of life…” and was instantly in great mood.

It is proven that music fundamentally shapes our brains because it involves so many parts of it including the emotional, motor, and cognitive areas. Music has the power to energize, lift your spirits and to mentally take you back in time.

It’s a wonderful way to improve memory. In fact, people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias respond to music when nothing else reaches them. It releases endorphins which can relieve pain and can be used to heal people. Some say speech started as singing and music is in our very DNA.

So the next time you need a lift, sing a song. Any song. It doesn’t matter if you’re in tune or not. And if you truly want a high, trying singing everyday. Even if it’s just for a minute or two. Its an easy way to maintain a more youthful mind, spirit and body.

Want to learn more? Visit Music and Happiness.