Many of us can relate to the moment when you are taking a shower, and before you know it you’re belting out your favorite song. For most of us the singing seems to occur naturally in the shower, and our voice even tends to sound better. So why do we sing in the shower? And why do we sound better?
According to Music Mic, your voice in the shower bounces off of the tiles, making it louder and more powerful to your own ears. The shape of the shower directly effects the way the the sound waves travel. The shape usually causes the sound waves to travel longer, making the sound resonate in the air. As the sound lingers for longer, it gives it a richer sound. The sound waves as they linger vibrate at about 100 times per second, which makes the voice sound deeper,and enhances the bass. This all contributes to a richer, deeper voice that sounds less pitchy than usual.
It has also been proven that singing has beneficial psychological effects on humans. Whether starting off your day with a shower, or ending your day with a shower, it will most likely boost your mood. Singing releases endorphins and oxytocin in the brain, hormones that bring pleasure and relaxation. Endorphins in particular reduce our perception of pain, lead to feelings of euphoria, and enhance the immune response. This contributes to less stress, and a more relaxing shower.
In addition, you are never too old to sing in the shower. In fact, a study shows that singing at old age can improve mental and oral condition of the elderly. Forty-four subjects were recruited for the study, 60 years or older. All participants were currently on medication for respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. They were all measured of height. weight, blood pressure, and heart rate right before they were asked to sing. They also participated in a questionnaire beforehand. All participants sang 3 songs in a row, which totaled to about 3 or more minutes. Afterwards, saliva and blood samples were taken. Results revealed a decrease in pulse rates after singing, a decrease of cortisol (a steroid hormone that is connected to stress) in saliva, and answers to the questioner involving the words: relaxed, comfortable, pleasurable, relieved, and released. These words show that there is an improved mental state for the elderly.
This study shows that singing is beneficial to the elderly, but it seems that it could also have positive effects on those who consistently sing in the shower from childhood into old age. The study above was well conducted, and in the future I would recommend a similar study done to children, teenagers, and adults who sing.
So why do we sing in the shower? And why do we sound better? I have come to the conclusion that singing in the shower increases our mood, and quality of life even if we don’t realize it. This pushes us to sing in the shower, in need of more relaxation, and positive physical effects for our bodies. When it all comes down to it, the shower provides the right acoustics to make our voices sound better than usual, and we should take the opportunity to sing along to our favorite songs in the shower.