THERAPIST EXPLAINS HOW ONE SIMPLE ACTIVITY CAN LEAD TO INSTANT MOOD BOOST

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A licensed therapist spoke with Newsweek about how singing, or even just humming, to a song could instantly change your mood.

Those seeking a quick and effortless mood lift need to look no further than the sound system in their car, as one licensed therapist says that belting out your favorite number while on a drive might just be the key to an instant mood boost.

Nikki Roy, a licensed therapist based in Vancouver, argues that singing along to your favorite tunes while in a car can provide an instant boost to your mental health and serve as a positive move for your well-being in the long term by tapping into the biological processes that foster relaxation and happiness.

"Singing gives us hits of dopamine and serotonin, especially if we are singing songs that we really love," Roy (@nikkiroy.collection) shared on Instagram.

"This is because when we are singing we are taking our bodies back to places when it is more carefree, more nostalgic, or we were just not going to work. The dopamine and serotonin rush is going through our bodies and getting us into that feel-good place."

"Singing to music also connects to our vagus nerve and, through that, to our nervous system, which can soothe and regulate our emotions. Singing is actually activating all of that which is helping us soothe and regulate our whole body," she added.

Roy, a licensed therapist for four years and a mental health worker for 11, has focused her career on helping individuals improve their relationships with themselves through identity, self-expression, and emotions. Through this particular line of practice, she's learned to appreciate singing as a "beautiful coping mechanism."

Can Singing Really Change Your Mood?

"When we sing, we are activating the vagus nerve that is connected to our vocal cords and muscles in the back of our throats," Roy told Newsweek.

"The vagus nerve is a part of our nervous system which plays a vital role in our heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. And the nervous system is where we receive a lot of emotional stimulation. So, when our nervous system is overloaded with emotions, we can use singing to directly connect to it and cue our body to calm.

"Because we feel emotions in our nervous system, it is really helpful for people to have tangible skills they can use to directly connect to their bodies when they are feeling anxious, worried, overwhelmed, frustrated or angry."

"I will recommend to my clients to use singing as an effective coping skill when they are feeling overtaken by their emotions. Singing, music, and dancing will help to calm their physical bodies, decrease the intensity in emotions, and help shift them through moods," she said.

"Singing is a beautiful coping mechanism."

The therapist said that if you can't or aren't keen on singing and don't want to take a drive, the same soothing effect can be achieved by humming or singing outside of the car.

"People all over the world have been connecting deeply to the content I am putting out about music, dancing, and singing and I think it is because people have always felt that these things help them, they just didn't understand the connection as to why," Roy said.

"When we simplify and break down ways that you can connect to yourself and shift through moods and emotions, it makes managing our mental health seem more manageable and less overwhelming. People want to understand themselves and feel confident in managing their symptoms!"

Nikki Roy is a licensed therapist based in Vancouver, Canada. She spoke with Newsweek about the power of singing in boosting our mood. Credit: @NIKKIROY.COLLECTION

She added, "I recommend to my clients to make playlists of songs that they know all the lyrics to, that they love to sing, and songs that bring back happy memories. Then they can use that playlist very intentionally when they need to connect and soothe their emotions."

Psychotherapist Brianna Paruolo, who is currently working as a counselor in New York City, backed Roy up.

"Singing anywhere can serve as an ultimate mood booster. Singing, especially with the top down in your car on a beautiful sunny day, can feel euphoric," Paruolo told Newsweek.

"When you sing in the car, you're not just having fun—you're actually giving your mind and body a powerful boost. Singing activates the vagus nerve, which is like a superhighway of calm, sending signals of relaxation to your brain and releasing feel-good chemicals like oxytocin. This nerve is a crucial part of your nervous system, regulating everything from your mood to your digestion."

She added: "So the next time you belt out your favorite tunes behind the wheel, remember that you're not just enjoying a good time—you're also taking care of your overall well-being in a simple yet profound way."

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