Singing as an alternative for maintaining physical and mental health in times of social distancing

Abstract

As humanity faced the new coronavirus pandemic, a rather peculiar musical phenomenon gained notoriety. Italian citizens broke the silence of confinement from their balconies and joined their neighbors to sing from a distance. The phenomenon became known as balcony singing and quickly spread around the world. What is so special about singing that makes it able to connect people and help them remain optimistic in such challenging times? This is the question I want to answer. This study aims to discuss the reactions that singing can provoke in the individual and what these reactions teach us about the role it can play in maintaining physical and mental health in times of social distancing. To collect data on the effects of participation in singing activities during the pandemic, questionnaires were applied to 31 participants of distance singing or choral singing classes. The results of this research are consistent with the reviewed studies and suggest that singing can be an alternative for maintaining physical and mental health in times of social distancing, bringing several positive effects to the individual's well-being.