The power of singing lies in its simplicity—just breathe, hum, and heal.

Mental Health Routine
Full Routine Example (Approximately 20-30 Minutes)
- Diaphragmatic Breathing with Humming (3 Minutes)
- Begin with breathing exercises to centre yourself, then hum softly to activate your vocal cords.
- Lip Trills and Vocal Slides (5 Minutes)
- Practice lip trills to engage your breath and increase energy, followed by gentle vocal slides to release tension.
- Affirmation Singing for Positivity (5 Minutes)
- Choose a positive affirmation, such as “I am calm and centred” or “I embrace today with joy.”
- Sing the affirmation slowly and with intention, repeating it a few times to a simple melody.
- Focus on letting the positive message resonate within you, helping to uplift your mood and foster emotional stability.
- Singing Scales for Focused Attention (5 Minutes)
- Pick a comfortable scale, like a five-note or octave scale, and sing it on a single vowel, such as “ee” or “ah.”
- Pay close attention to each note, maintaining steady breath control and focusing on pitch accuracy and tone.
- This exercise enhances concentration and mental clarity, helping you build focus.
- Staccato Syllables on “Ha” for Alertness (3 Minutes)
- Take a deep breath and sing short, detached “ha-ha-ha” sounds on a single pitch.
- Focus on rhythmic, quick exhalations with each “ha,” keeping your voice light and energetic.
- Repeat on different pitches to create variety and increase alertness, providing a natural energy boost.
- Gentle Humming to Wind Down (3 Minutes)
- Conclude the session by softly humming a relaxing melody or a favourite tune.
- Focus on the vibrations in your chest and face, allowing any remaining tension to release.
- This gentle hum serves as a vocal “cool down,” bringing calm and closure to the routine.
Total Duration: Approximately 20–30 minutes
This full routine combines breathing exercises, vocal warm-ups, affirmation singing, scale practice, rhythmic exercises, and a relaxing finish, offering a well-rounded practice to support mental health.
Each exercise targets a different mental wellness goal, creating a balanced session that can be adapted to fit your personal needs.
Frances Turnbull
Musician, Researcher and Author
In singing, we discover a rhythm that aligns our emotions, breath, and spirit.
