I Feel Beautiful

Ever feel pretty good about yourself… until you look in the mirror?

We could discuss “inner beauty over outer beauty,” but there are two things I know.

1. Ignore the mirror at all costs.

2. When I’m singing and playing music, I feel beautiful.

And here’s the thing — this isn’t just a sentimental idea. Science is catching up with what singers and artists have always known.

Researchers have discovered that singing, even casually, has remarkable benefits for our mental and physical health:

• 🧠 Lowers stress — Studies show singing can reduce cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone, and release endorphins and oxytocin, which elevate mood and connection.

• ❤️ Synchronizes hearts — When people sing together, their heart rates and breathing patterns begin to align. Scientists call this “physiological synchrony.” (Frontiers in Psychology, 2022)

• 🎶 Boosts connection and belonging — Choir and group singing participants consistently report higher happiness, confidence, and emotional resilience. (ScienceDaily, 2013)

• 🌤️ Strengthens the immune system — Regular singing increases immune proteins and improves lung function. (Healthline, 2024)

Another song for my Mother…

I wrote this particular song with my mother in mind. She was once a cabaret singer, dancer, and actress — radiant on stage and off. But like many artists, she struggled with getting older and losing the looks she was once celebrated for.

I still remember the day she was livid about being cast as a “grandmother” on a TV show — a role she already played in real life, but wasn’t ready to accept.

Yet when she sang, she came alive again. Her voice carried youth, laughter, and spirit. If you ever walked into our family home, you would have heard her singing — rain, hail, or shine — with or without an audience.

⸻

A Little Challenge for You

If you need a lift today: Play this song over and over and sing along to it.

Don’t worry if you’re “not a singer.” The science says you’ll still get the benefits. And if you can, join a group — a choir, a church service, a few friends in the living room.

Your heart will quite literally find rhythm with others.

And that’s a beautiful thing.

Cheers,

Chris