BBC随身英语｜歌唱的疗愈力量
英音听力｜BBC & 经济学人等
The healing power of singing
From singing at concerts to singing 'Happy birthday'. Around the world, humans have been singing in unison for millennia. Some anthropologists even think our ancestors may have sung before they could speak.
"Lullabies are sung to children, and then songs are sung at funerals", says Alex Street, from the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, who thinks that our positive response to music is no accident. Music is not only enjoyable, but beneficial for our health.
There is growing evidence that singing can energise us, improve immune function and increase feelings of happiness, according to 'A Review of the Physiological Effects and Mechanisms of Singing', published in 2018. It's thought that the repeated and controlled breathing that singing requires releases endorphins, which are chemicals released by the brain associated with pleasure and wellbeing. It may even provide a physical workout comparable to a brisk walk.
And singing as part of a group or choir may have additional effects. Researchers in 'The ice-breaker effect: singing mediates fast social bonding' found that singing together accelerated faster social cohesion among strangers.
Some studies have also found that regular musical activity can help to delay the onset of various neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. And it's not too late for those already living with such conditions.
Cathy McGlynn is a music therapist based in Ireland who leads a choir of people with Parkinson's. The disease can lead to respiratory and vocal problems, both of which are benefited by singing practice.
For those suffering with dementia, singing can enhance the type of memory which helps us recall names and specific personal experiences, according to a literature review on singing and cognitive health called 'A Song for the Mind'.
Music therapist Grace Meadows watched as a woman with dementia got up out of her chair and started dancing at a musical performance. "It was the first time the carers had ever seen her move, unaided."
Music may not be a medicine in the traditional sense, but one thing seems clear: humans are wired for connection, and music helps to create it. So, if you're sceptical about the power of music, it may be time to change your tune.
词汇表
in unison [ˈjuːnɪsn] adv. 齐声，一致地
for millennia [fɔː(r) mɪˈleniə] 数千年来（millennium的复数）
anthropologist [ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒɪst] n. 人类学家
lullaby [ˈlʌləbaɪ] n. 摇篮曲，催眠曲
energise [ˈenədʒaɪz] vt. 给予能量，使充满活力
immune function [ɪˈmjuːn] n. 免疫功能
physiological [ˌfɪziəˈlɒdʒɪkl] adj. 生理的，生理机能的
endorphin [enˈdɔːfɪn] n. 内啡肽（具有镇痛作用的内分泌激素）
brisk walk [brɪsk] 快步走，轻快行进
choir [ˈkwaɪə(r)] n. 合唱团，唱诗班
ice-breaker n. 打破僵局的事物，破冰活动
mediate [ˈmiːdieɪt] vi. 调节，调解，促成
social bonding [ˈbɒndɪŋ] 社会联结，社交纽带
social cohesion [kəʊˈhiːʒn] 社会凝聚力
onset [ˈɒnset] n. 开始，发作，发病
neurological [ˌnjʊərəˈlɒdʒɪkl] adj. 神经系统的，神经的
Parkinson's [ˈpɑːkɪnsənz] n. 帕金森病
dementia [dɪˈmenʃə] n. 痴呆症
respiratory [rəˈspɪrətri] adj. 呼吸的，呼吸系统的
cognitive [ˈkɒɡnətɪv] adj. 认知的，认识的
unaided [ʌnˈeɪdɪd] adj. 无辅助的，无外援地，独立的
be wired for [ˈwaɪəd] 天生适合，天生具备（能力或倾向）
be sceptical about [ˈskeptɪkl] 对…持怀疑态度
change one's tune [tjuːn] 改变论调，转变态度
📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】
