Post-natal depression is a common thing mothers undergo and a new study reveals that there could be a natural and rather unique way to rid yourself of the depression. Singing. Yes, you read right. Mothers who sing in groups with their babies may overcome the symptoms of post-natal depression more quickly, the study suggests.
As part of the study, researchers worked with 34 mothers to see if singing could help them reduce the symptoms of post-natal depression for 40 weeks after they gave birth. Singing workshops saw the mothers learning lullabies and songs from around the world with their babies and creating new songs together about motherhood. Those with moderate to severe symptoms of post-natal depression reported a much faster improvement than mothers in the usual care and play groups.
"These results are really exciting as they suggest that something as simple as referring mothers to community activities could support their recovery," said Daisy Fancourt, from University College London in the UK.
"Post-natal depression is debilitating for mothers and their families, yet our research indicates that for some women something as accessible as singing with their baby could help to speed up recovery at one of the most vulnerable times of their lives," said Rosie Perkins, principal investigator of the study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
Well, no harm trying singing, right?
