How to Sing the January Blues Away
Singing hailed as best medicine for acute post-bank holiday depression syndrome*
Sing Up - (www.singup.org) the national singing resource - is calling on depressed commuters to Sing Up for 5 minutes a day from Monday morning, in a bid to lift the annual January blues (or acute post-bank holiday depression syndrome*) and improve the health and mental well being of the nation.
Academics from the Institute of Education at the University of London have recognised the effectiveness of singing in relieving the symptoms of the seasonal spirit slump. In a response prompted by Sing Up – which is based on the proven benefits of singing to primary school children - Professor Graham F Welch of the Institute of Education agrees that singing is one of the most positive forms of human activity, supporting physical, mental and social health, as well as individual development.
It is also one of the easiest – and cheapest – ways of lifting spirits and putting a smile back on the faces of Brits returning to work after the Christmas break. Professor Welch’s insightsi include:
What to do?
To counter the seasonal sprit slump, Sing Up encourages anyone feeling low to:
The Top 5 Songs to sing to get you smiling:
Of course, singing any song at all can make you happy – visit www.singup.org for inspiration.
The Sing Up initiative has the support of urban artist Jamelia who launched the campaign in November 2007.
Sing Up is the campaign name for the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, produced by Youth Music with AMV-BBDO, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead, supported by Government.
-Ends-
Contact
Caroline Eardley, Jess Cross or the Sing Up team at Seventy Seven PR
020 7492 0977 or 07940 570 288
singup@77pr.co.uk
Notes to Editors
* acute post-bank holiday depression syndrome identified by Professor Cary Cooper from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology as acute post-bank holiday depression syndrome - 2001
i The Benefits of Singing, Professor Graham F Welch, PhD, IoEUL Chair of Music Education, Head, Department of Arts and Humanities - 16 Dec 2007
Research into the benefits of music on cognitive abilities – Leng, Shaw & wright 1990 and Rauscher, Shaw, Levine, Wright, Dennis & Newcome 1997.
The effect on communication skills, language and literacy is documented by Pugh and Pugh 1998 and in Youth Music’s own research (Turning Their Ears On, 2006).
About Sing Up
Sing Up is being managed by a consortium led by national charity Youth Music, in partnership with publisher Faber Music, The Sage Gateshead and advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers. The national songbook can be accessed at www.singup.org.
Sing Up, launched with £40 million funding over four years, is based on the proven benefits of singing amongst children – increased communication skills, confidence, better health and immune systems and a more positive state of mind – and aims to put singing at the heart of every primary school in England by 2011.
The £40 million government investment in singing aims to ensure that every primary school-aged child has the opportunity to experience high quality singing as part of their everyday lives in the school, the home and the wider community.
Sing Up - (www.singup.org) the national singing resource - is calling on depressed commuters to Sing Up for 5 minutes a day from Monday morning, in a bid to lift the annual January blues (or acute post-bank holiday depression syndrome*) and improve the health and mental well being of the nation.
Academics from the Institute of Education at the University of London have recognised the effectiveness of singing in relieving the symptoms of the seasonal spirit slump. In a response prompted by Sing Up – which is based on the proven benefits of singing to primary school children - Professor Graham F Welch of the Institute of Education agrees that singing is one of the most positive forms of human activity, supporting physical, mental and social health, as well as individual development.
It is also one of the easiest – and cheapest – ways of lifting spirits and putting a smile back on the faces of Brits returning to work after the Christmas break. Professor Welch’s insightsi include:
- Singing counters the symptoms of colds and flu by improving airflow in the upper respiratory tract, which lessens opportunities for bacteria to flourish by keeping the airways open
- Even when seated, singing is an activity that exercises major muscle groups in the upper body - the aerobic nature of the activity improves the efficiency of the body’s cardiovascular system, with benefits to overall health - this in turn increases overall alertness and is linked to longevity, stress reduction and general health maintenance
- Singing is a cathartic activity - it allows us to experience and express key emotions such as joy and sadness, providing an outlet for our feelings and allowing us to enjoy the activity, and to feel better about ourselves and the world around us
- Singing relates to better communication, encouraging empathy with those around us, especially if singing in a group or as part of a choir - this is where the physical and psychological benefits are supported by a positive group identity and an increased sense of community.
What to do?
To counter the seasonal sprit slump, Sing Up encourages anyone feeling low to:
- dedicate 5 minutes each day to singing their favourite song – in the shower, on the tube or even before you get out of bed
- sing ‘Good Morning’ to a friend, relative or neighbour it will make you – and them – smile
- sing the headlines of the paper out loud over breakfast
- visit Sing Up (www.singup.org) – the national singing resource – there, you can find a web-based songbook of new and traditional songs with downloadable song sheets and backing tracks – and guidance on how to incorporate singing into your day, no matter what your singing ability
- don’t worry about who can hear you or if you’re any good – just the physical act of singing is good for you and if you’re no good, laugh about it – that will improve your state of mind too
The Top 5 Songs to sing to get you smiling:
- Happy Hour – The Housemartins
- Smile – Lily Allen
- Shiny Happy People - REM
- Come up and See Me (Make me Smile) – Steve Harley & The Cockney Rebel
- Don’t Worry Be Happy – The Hit Crew
Of course, singing any song at all can make you happy – visit www.singup.org for inspiration.
The Sing Up initiative has the support of urban artist Jamelia who launched the campaign in November 2007.
Sing Up is the campaign name for the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, produced by Youth Music with AMV-BBDO, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead, supported by Government.
-Ends-
Contact
Caroline Eardley, Jess Cross or the Sing Up team at Seventy Seven PR
020 7492 0977 or 07940 570 288
singup@77pr.co.uk
Notes to Editors
* acute post-bank holiday depression syndrome identified by Professor Cary Cooper from the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology as acute post-bank holiday depression syndrome - 2001
i The Benefits of Singing, Professor Graham F Welch, PhD, IoEUL Chair of Music Education, Head, Department of Arts and Humanities - 16 Dec 2007
Research into the benefits of music on cognitive abilities – Leng, Shaw & wright 1990 and Rauscher, Shaw, Levine, Wright, Dennis & Newcome 1997.
The effect on communication skills, language and literacy is documented by Pugh and Pugh 1998 and in Youth Music’s own research (Turning Their Ears On, 2006).
About Sing Up
Sing Up is being managed by a consortium led by national charity Youth Music, in partnership with publisher Faber Music, The Sage Gateshead and advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers. The national songbook can be accessed at www.singup.org.
Sing Up, launched with £40 million funding over four years, is based on the proven benefits of singing amongst children – increased communication skills, confidence, better health and immune systems and a more positive state of mind – and aims to put singing at the heart of every primary school in England by 2011.
The £40 million government investment in singing aims to ensure that every primary school-aged child has the opportunity to experience high quality singing as part of their everyday lives in the school, the home and the wider community.
