Research by the Tenovus Cancer Care and the Royal College of Music, and revealed at the British Science Festival in Swansea, "suggests that music is reducing stress levels and leading to a boost in our immune activity."
Nearly 200 choristers were tested for levels of stress hormone cortisol and cytokines - which prompt the immune system to fight illness. Apparently, singing for an hour can increase levels of immune proteins, reduce stress and improve mood. (though I guess the singing has got to be fairly decent!)
The study also found people with depression who took part in a ten-week drumming course saw a 40 per cent improvement in their illness. (I would say though that if people in depression are being positive enough to push themselves to try this, they are probably also doing other things in their lives to help them get better.)
Dr Daisy Fancourt, who ran the study, concluded: "people might think that music reducing stress is not ground-breaking and obvious, but we have found also that it can lead to a reduction in biological stress."
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