The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Choir’ s cure for anxiety
Achoir is helping long Covid sufferers by teaching them breathing techniques. Workshops will better equip sufferers to deal with the breathlessness and anxiety associated with long-term symptoms of the illness.
They are being run by St Andrews Voices, a choir in St Andrews, inspired by the British Heart Foundation’s Singing for Lung Health workshops, which are designed to help people with chronic lung conditions.
Research shows that breathing control projects bring a wide range of health benefits, such as improved posture, as well as overall feelings of increased wellbeing by taking part in a meaningful social group activity.
The project is funded by the University of St Andrews Community fund, with a donation of £3,000.
According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, more than 1.1 million people in Britain are currently experiencing long Covid symptoms over a four-week period after contracting Covid-19.
St Andrews Voices festival director and project lead Amanda Macleod said: “Our unique workshops will empower and better equip participants to deal with the breathlessness and anxiety associated with long Covid.
“The evidenced benefits of Singing for Lung Health and wellbeing not only include improved breathing control but also allow those suffering from long Covid a focused wellbeing intervention that distracts from breathlessness and provides much needed social participation, reducing feelings of isolation that many have suffered during the pandemic.”
The workshops will initially be offered entirely online over a 12-week period and will be led by a Singing for Lung health leader and supported by a respiratory medical officer.
University of St Andrews principal, Professor Sally Mapstone, said: “The university recognises that key to recovery and the very fabric of life in communities affected by the pandemic are the many small voluntary bodies that are responding to the needs of residents, with a will and bravery which must be commended.
“The University of St Andrews Community Fund was conceived before the Covid-19 crisis, but quickly adapted to assist those who support the very fabric of our society at its most vulnerable time.
“While the St Andrews Voices project is small and local, the possibilities to help those suffering with long Covid are widespread and far-reaching beyond St Andrews. So little is known about long Covid that we must explore all avenues as we seek to come out of the pandemic and support those who may struggle in the months and years ahead.”