Coachamatic

I’m that girl. The one at the stop light rockin’ out in her car like the intersection is my stage. I sing in the car all the time. Occasionally I’ll sing in the shower. But in the car, I’ve got full surround sound and music accompaniment, so it’s more enhanced.

Why does it feel so good to sing out loud? I’d heard there were scientific studies that show singing is good for your soul. So I set out to back up my belief. Two clicks of a mouse and a Google search later, and I stumbled upon all kinds of goodies.

Music is Medicine for Body and Soul, by Wendy Priesnitz for Natural Life Magazine writes,

“Music has been known to have a positive effect on both mental and physical health since ancient times, when people used singing, dancing and chanting as a part of rituals to throw out the evil spirits that supposedly caused disease.”

Fascintating isn’t it? The connection to our ancestors, and the fact that music has been used in rituals, healing ceremonies and during rites of passage since before we were even a spec in the Divine plan?

Wendy’s research led her to some interesting findings:

“A recent survey of 1,780 drivers for the British car insurance company Privilege Insurance, found that listening to music may help reduce road rage and decreases the chance of an accident. Most respondents with good driving records said music relaxed them when driving and aided their concentration.Half of the motorists said they often sing along to music while driving.  

Dr. Nicola Dibben, a music psychologist from the Universioty of Sheffield who carried out the study on behalf of Privilege, says:

Singing while driving stimulates not only the mind but also the body which in turn produces heightened alertness and reduced fatigue. Singing may be less distracting than conversation because drivers recall words to songs they already know, or because it is fairly easy to learn the words to music where it uses repeated lyrics.”

Next time you’re stuck in traffic, don’t be shy. Crank it up! (Not too loud though. Statistics also show, “Loud music can have a negative effect on our well being. It can cause temporary and even permanent hearing loss in people of all ages).

OK, so when cranking it up, be responsible and keep it at a non-hearing loss decibel and let it rip! Really belt one out. See if it doesn’t make you feel better. I find that singing on the way to the office gets me pumped up and energized for the day. It really loosens you up, lightens your load, and stirs your soul.

What songs get you rockin’ out in the car? What music moves your spirit, nourishes your soul, or pumps you up for that Monday morning meeting?

Rock & Soul,
Kammie K.

Posted on Oct 13th 06 by Kammie Kobyleski.

Kammie Kobyleski has been having coaching conversations all her life. After working in corporate communications, marketing, training & development, and higher education, Kammie made the shift into life & career coaching and consulting. Her life’s mission is helping people fall in love with life. The integration of mind, body, spirit and personal empowerment are Kammie’s passionate focus. http://www.passionmeetspurpose.com/blog

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