Belt it out to fend off a cold

I've heard a lot about the health benefits of music -- it can calm you and help you destress, and the right songs have been shown to boost brain activity. And, I've heard that singing out loud (preferably in your car, alone, if you sound anything like me) can elevate your mood -- this, I can attest to.

However, did you know that singing could help you avoid catching a cold?

A study by the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, found that singers had higher levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) after performing. IgA defends against respiratory infections, and opening your mouth wide might stimulate productions. Not like I needed much encouragement to sing my heart out, but now I can tell friends and family I'm doing it for my health!