Resting across three Tuscan hills, Siena is known as one of Italy’s most beautiful medieval cities–and now, as one of the many communities under quarantine due to COVID-19. While the globe’s news and social media feeds are filled with panic-inducing facts and figures, Italians are managing to make the headlines for another reason: filling their streets with song.
Finding Comfort During Quarantine
A short video shared to Twitter by a user @valemercurii recorded a narrow, dimly lit street. The rich timbre of voices echoed through the still night, as quarantined Italians sang out of their open windows. The hauntingly melodic tune is a well-known folk song with a lilting melody. The words of Canto Della Verbena (Song of the Verbena), also known as E Mentre Siena Dorme (While Siena Sleeps), hung in the still air. Often sung out of pride in the beautiful Tuscan city, the population of over 50,000 all know the tune.
Since Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte put the country on lockdown, daily Italian life has largely been disrupted. Groceries, banks, and pharmacies remain the few places open. Millions of children throughout the country are cooped up at home as schools closed. Heeding the guidelines to distance themselves socially, the normal gregarious Italian people have been forced indoors. It’s no wonder, then, that singing has been the perfect expression of solidarity that doesn’t require the quarantine to be broken. (1, 2)
Surprising Health Benefits Of Singing
While Siena’s singing Italians move us emotionally, there may be actual health benefits for those crooning under quarantine. A simple act of curing boredom and lifting spirits–singing together–could be boosting the immune systems of those involved. Science has the studies to back this claim, and the research is promising.
According to a 2016 study, singing in a chorus or group for one hour significantly reduced stress and boosted immune response. The research examined cancer patients from five different choirs. They gave samples of their saliva an hour before singing and an hour after. Scientists then examined what changes occurred in certain hormones, neuropeptides and receptors, and immune proteins.
The results showed that singing in the group resulted in a reduction of stress hormones, like cortisol. Cytokines, which are proteins of the immune system, increased. These proteins boost the body’s ability to combat serious diseases, also allowing medical treatments to work more effectively. The results indicate that singing in a group can help ease anxiety and depression, lower inflammation, and boost immune response. (3)
Keeping Calm Amidst Panic
As Covid-19 continues it’s course, quarantine and lockdown remain effective means of slowing the spread. Since stress and anxiety suppress the immune system, it’s important to try to stay calm. Staying informed and preparing are important, but hours browsing scary statistics may do more harm than good. Look for positive stories of hope and community. Avoid checking hourly infection numbers, all day long. Be prepared, but don’t panic. And if your family is stuck inside for a few weeks, a good group sing might just boost your immune response.
