Debbie was tired of feeling disconnected in her church. She tried to befriend people but something was missing. She loved God but her church experience fell flat.

What she didn’t know was that a simple move could change her life and  build positive emotions such as trust, love and acceptance. Here is how.

Positive emotions involve a hormone made in your brain that is secreted by the pituitary gland. Most of us have heard of this hormone because of child-birth and breast feeding. This hormone, called oxytocin, does more than aid reproduction. When it comes to social bonding, it performs! Oxytocin has an impact on our feelings of relaxation, trust and psychological stability. It can even reduce stress responses. And it is involved in the first stages of romantic love.

But here is the good news. You don’t have to get pregnant, breastfeed or fall in love to release this hormone. Simply, join your church choir or singing group.

When you sing in a group, oxytocin pulses through the brain and those feelings of trust, love and acceptance start to flow. This is why you hear choir members talk so lovingly about each other and feel bonded to their group. Oxytocin is leading the way. The brain is increasing its production of oxytocin when you belt out those choir numbers together. And the benefit to you is that you produce positive feelings of trust and love, not to mention beautiful worship.

During the COVID lockdown, many of us remember Italians singing together out of their windows and across their balconies. Other people were singing together on-line and from their rooftops in an effort to stay connected. We are social creatures and the brain needs to bond with others. Singing together brings us together.

So if you want to feel bonded and accepted, join a choir or singing group. Choir singing is known to improve mood and create feelings of closeness. In addition, choir singing increases happiness. Basically, choir singing changes your brain in a positive way.

Now, if the choir seems too intimidating, play music with others–this has the same effect. It’s transformative and lowers stress. And you don’t have to be a great singing to get the same benefits.

Need more positivity and social connection? Make a joyful noise to the Lord but make it a group event!