Social Cohesion is defined as: “…how people in a community or larger social group bond together and cooperate.”
For me, the operative word is bond. Knowing that humans are essentially herd animals, bonding is an important human emotional function.
This blog is about social cohesion and group singing as a means of creating social bonding.
Why is this important to soundworkers? Because social cohesion is a vital healing state relevant at this time.
2025… The Year of Sympathetic Overdrive?
I don’t think anyone doubts 2025 is going to be a year to remember. In the US, UK, EU, and other places around the world, half the people think 2025 is going to be a great time when things finally get put back straight! The other half (approx. 75 million people in US alone), greet the new year with a sense of dread; they must accept a revision of their morals and values. This revision strikes a deep chord, regardless of 2025 or 1925.
In a world of sequences, one could say there’s a lot of threat going on: personally, philosophically, livelihood or health-wise, etc.
To the human neurological system, any kind of threat is experienced as instability and uncertainty. The net effect is nervous system dysregulation: an overdriving of the sympathetic nervous system leading to stressed physiological and/or psychological states.
Our Human Nervous System
The human nervous system coordinates our body’s activities and consists of two primary aspects: The Central Nervous System (CNS) is comprised of the brain and spinal chord, processing and responding to information coming from other parts of the body. The Peripheral Nervous System consists of hundreds of thousands of nerves throughout our limbs and organs–basically connecting the CNS to the rest of the body.
An important downstream aspect of the peripheral NS is the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) (think automatic), tasked with implementation of our involuntary functions that we don’t concentrate upon, such as breathing, heart rate, glandular secretions, etc. Two divisions of the ANS relevant to this conversation are: The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS).
Simply put:
• The Sympathetic NS is about fight or flight mechanisms
• The Parasympathetic NS is about rest and relax mechanisms.
These two systems are literal lifesavers and work in tandem. However, if we have chronic fear or stress, the SNS becomes overloaded, keeping us in a prolonged fight or flight syndrome. If this goes on for too long, many disorders can arise involving heart, immunity, mental health, digestion and/or sleep. We get stuck in sympathetic overdrive and the PNS doesn’t have the opportunity to bring homeostasis to the equation.
Solutions to Sympathetic Overdrive
This is where sound comes in, how sound can help.
When we become too stressed and enter the zone of sympathetic overdrive, there are many remedy channels for us to access relief.
Mindfulness practices (varied meditation practices)
Deep breathing exercises (activation of vagal tonicity)
Physical activity
Stress resilience
Sufficient rest
Social cohesion engagement
Part of the perceived threat of instability or uncertainty is the fear we are alone and have to devise solutions solitarily. Sometimes, especially when in a sympathetic overdrive state, this is beyond our individual cognitive abilities.
When we sing (dance, breathe, chant, tone, make music, etc.) in groups, not only is there the reminder that we are part of a larger whole, but we’re entraining through our breath with others, as well. This creates engagement of unity consciousness. Deep breathing (diaphragmatic breathing) also impacts vagal nerve stimulation, which in turn triggers the PNS. We will look into the Vagus nerve in a subsequent blog.
When we have been in chronic sympathetic overdrive, stimulation of the PNS is vital for bringing about a balanced interaction between the SNS and PNS for our physio- and psychological wellness.
Stress resilience, an important benefit of group singing, actually allows the PNS to dominate. This allows the body to recover more effectively from chronic stress.
Current Vocal Events
As I observe cultural temperatures rising, I see many more (and globally diverse) singing opportunities for the public. The following are just a few of the many…
Jonathan Goldman’s 23rd annual World Sound Healing Day is on February 14th, 2025.
Singing circles and sound baths seem to be increasing in popularity.
Song leader training is growing, as well.
Rise Up and Sing: https://www.riseupandsing.org/singing/songleading
Song Leader Training: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/song-leader-training
Song Leader Flight School: https://thebirdsings.com/songleader-training/
Summary
How soundwork can help restore balance around fear and uncertainty?
One of the ways to rebalance and regulate the autonomic nervous system is for people to find groups that use sound and vibration. This includes music. Groups can be found that chant, sing, drum, play, or simply listen. Why are these activities potent? Social cohesion takes place when people gather and engage in a shared activity, and even more so when that activity involves sound and music. This has been demonstrated for centuries.
Soundworkers: Be it a sound bath, symphony concert, or 3-person singalong… consciously empowering the effect of social cohesion brings great impact. The understanding of social cohesion is a valuable component for your soundwork toolkit. It’s been said that "...all the problems humanity creates are ultimately problems of cooperation. Solving these problems will require social glue." - Harvey Whitehouse, The Ritual Animal I posit that social cohesion may be that bonding force.
Disclaimer: This blog is written as a general introduction to the autonomic nervous system and is for informational purposes only. The author is not a medical or psychological professional. There can be many manifestations of nervous system dysregulation that require detailed analysis of nervous system function. If you think you have a nervous system imbalance, please see a trusted medical professional for assistance.
Many thanks to ChatGPT and AI.Claude
© 2024 Joshua Leeds. All rights reserved.
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