It’s off to work we go... but a song can encourage harmony with colleagues

THE SEVEN Dwarfs had the right idea as they cheerfully sang “heigh-ho” on their way to work in Walt Disney’s classic 1937 adaptation of Snow White, according to psychologists.

Singing with workmates reduces stress and makes employees feel more supported by their colleagues, the new research suggests.

Scientists studied 58 people working in organisations who attended choir sessions at their workplace.

Participants also completed questionnaires measuring their work-related demands, control and support.

Team member Joanna Foster, from the University of Leicester, said: “Previous research has found that group singing can improve physical and mental health.

“Our study investigated whether singing with colleagues in a workplace choir can reduce workplace stress and enhance feelings of support.

“We found that participants felt less stressed about their work and more socially connected after singing. In fact, they gained more support from the choir than from other social interactions at work.

“Overall, there was a 96 per cent reduction in work-related stress and an 86 per cent reduction in feelings of social isolation.”

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology in Chester. Ms Foster added: “Organisations should seriously consider encouraging their staff to regularly participate in singing groups to improve well-being, engagement and potentially job performance.”