The silly season is definitely in fully swing! I can tell that because of the look of slight panic on the faces of the parents and teachers around me. In fact, who am I kidding? I can see it when I look in the mirror! I call it my “rabbit in the headlights” look.
It’s the look of a busy, working parent who has forgotten how crazy this time of year can be. Exams, school concerts, gifts for teachers, paperwork for next year, tired children, tired parents, weary household! My theory is that we’ve all forgotten what life was like before COVID. We got lulled into a false sense of quietness.
Just like the dolphins that returned to the canals in Venice during lockdown, so some sense of calm returned to our schedules during that season. We were juggling a lot less when COVID imposed limitations on your everyday lives.
That was 2020 and 2021. But, 2022 has hit us all like a ton of bricks. We’re back in the full swing of things, and we’re just not used to it anymore. Or is that just me?
The bottom line though, is that we can’t avoid it. The bottle neck of work, school, tiredness, end-of-year busyness all collide at this time of year, and we find ourselves scrambling towards the finish line as the year comes to an end.
We need to find ways to enjoy this season and to slow down when we can. Not just for our own sake, but for the sake of our partners, children and others living in our homes.
I’m a musician, so I’m suggesting that we all start singing more! Let’s SING our way into the silly season, throughout the season and into next year.
Here are my top three reasons to sing more:
- Singing improves your mood
Belting out your favourite tune increases lung capacity, driving oxygen to your cells, and in turn, helps to lift your mood. Whether it’s in the shower, while driving the car or cooking a meal. Music helps! Add a little bit of movement and suddenly you’re onto even more of a winner!
- Singing relieves stress
In 2015, the Centre for Performance at the Royal College of Music in London, performed a study to measure the effects of singing on cortisol levels (the stress hormone). They found that singing helped to reduce cortisol levels over time. That’s persuasive enough … you don’t need to tell me twice!
- Singing brings people together
It’s no accident that people usually sing in groups at a sports event, church service or birthday party. Music and singing brings people together. So, encourage your family to sing together in the car. Encourage your children to listen to music and sing along and model this to them with your own enthusiasm. You don’t have to have an amazing voice or even sing in tune, just sing with joy and gusto!
With the festive season upon us, there’s never a better time of year to SING! Let music carry you along in this “silly season”. Build memories with your family and let your favourite music become the soundtrack of those memories.
Because we all know that music attaches to our memory in a very real and special way! But more about that here
Musical resources
- Wriggle and Rhyme has a range of musical stories which you can access on your favourite streaming service (Apple music, Spotify, iTunes, etc.) or take a look at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za/our-music .
- We also have fun, musical episodes on our YOUTUBE channel “Wriggle & Rhyme SA”.
- Our baby and toddler music classes are available in Cape Town – RONDEBOSCH, CLAREMONT, MELKBOSSTRAND and MEADOWRIDGE.
- Our pre-school music classes take place at partner pre-schools across the Mother City.
Find us at www.wriggleandrhyme.co.za or on Facebook and Instagram @wrigglerhyme #wrigglerhyme
- Wriggle and Rhyme celebrates its 16th birthday! - October 3, 2024
- Let’s get Together and Play Peek-a-Boo - August 7, 2024
- It’s the most wonderful time of the year! - December 14, 2023
I am going to take your advice for sure! This year has been rough and we need a little joy in our lives
100%. Music is such a catalyst for joy! Sing your heart out!