The other weekend, I joined forces with about 80 other singers at a wonderful workshop in the charming seaside town of beautiful Queenscliff.

It was run by the amazing Stephen Taberner, who is also the director of the Spooky Men’s Chorale. And if you’ve haven’t seen them in action, then check out their hilarious version of Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’.

I’m still feeling full of beans and ridiculously happy, thanks to the power of endorphins.

Endorphins are natural hormones that the body releases during enjoyable experiences and activities – when we exercise, during sex, when we’re singing, laughing, connecting with others or anything that brings you pleasure. They’re amazing for our wellbeing – they can alleviate pain, they lower stress, improve mood, and energise us.

Learning new songs takes a lot of concentration and focus, so another fantastic benefit of singing is that the brain lights up in parts that you probably don’t use all that often. What’s more, we learnt to sing a song in Spanish, so it was double bang for your buck – our brains could have powered the grid!

What else does singing do?

What else does singing provide apart from endorphins and keeping the brain alert and active?

Well, there’s the sense of connection that comes with sharing something you love to do with others. Connection is a protective element of mental and physical health, and there’s lots of research to back it up.

And I’m always amazed at how, when we sing with others, the whole is far, far greater than the sum of the parts.

It’s a hugely powerful feeling of being part of something bigger and more heart-based than our individual (and sometimes isolated) lives offer. (We also need time for ourselves and by ourselves, but that’s another conversation).

So, in a nutshell, it was a weekend of pure, unbridled JOY 💓

As I said to one of my singing friends who’s a psychotherapist, if everyone spent some time each week on things that give them an endorphin hit, she and I would be out of work!

I’m throwing it out there – what do you do that energises you and makes you smile from ear to ear? 

Go and do it! Or go and find it!

And then email me to let me know because I love hearing about what lights people up!