Individualism is a double-edged sword. We in the West deeply appreciate the opportunity to forge our own paths, but this freedom can result in smaller social support networks and poorer emotional health.
If only there was a way to periodically step out of our egocentric lives and join forces with a group of like-minded others, ideally to produce something beautiful.
Well, as it turns out, there is: choral singing.
Newly published research finds evidence that "the well-being benefits afforded by choral singing could be distinct in comparison with other leisure activities." The synchronistic physical activity of choristers appears to create an unusually strong bond, giving members the emotionally satisfying experience of temporarily "disappearing" into a meaningful, coherent body.
In the journal Psychology of Music, a British research team led by University of Bath psychologist Nick Stewart describes a study featuring 125 choral singers, 125 solo singers, and 125 team-sport athletes. (There were 231 participants in all, since 120 took part in two of those activities, and 24 engaged in all three; those 144 were instructed to "select the activity that was most important to them" when answering questions.)
[For more of this story, written by Tom Jacobs, go to http://www.psmag.com/books-and...ts-of-choral-singing]
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