How karaoke can boost your mood

Don't shy away from that karaoke mic! In this Health Smarts video, Robin Miller, MD, reveals how singing -- even if it's off-key -- reduces stress and boosts your mood and memory.

Transcript

00:00

Hi, I'm Doctor Miller. Do you believe in the power of music?

00:06

Having just the right tunes can fuel you work out or melt away stress at the end of a long day. I admit certain songs always

00:14

make me smile and others make me a little misty. In fact, music's healing powers are so therapeutic that it's

00:20

used in hospice care and for treating children who've been abused, and research has shown that learning to play an instrument improves memory

00:28

and other mental powers by firing up nerve pulse rate in your brain. But what about Karaoke?

00:34

Good news for devotees of this last refuge of the musically hopeful. Singing on or off key

00:40

improves breathing, and that's good for many parts of your body and brain. A recent study from Japan found that the

00:47

benefits of singing Karaoke are far reaching and life extending. It seems that singing Sinatra or even Errol Smith, relieves stress

00:55

and boosts self-esteem and confidence, and it helps build your social connection. So grab that mic and sing your heart out.