In these days of political and social controversies, just talking with friends and family can be problematic. But if you sing with them, you might be on to something.
Recent research shows that singing with a group brings people together, improves health, confers a sense of well-being, and triggers bonding.
In fact, in a 2015 study at the University of Oxford, researchers found that strangers who sang with each other for an hour emerged with an unusually close bond. It's especially enjoyable for mixed groups of males and females, since their voices are on average an octave apart.
Researchers have found health benefits too. Singing together reduces heart rate, blood pressure and stress hormones. Some early studies have found that singing may also improve lung health.
