Hum a Tune to 'Bee' Healthier and Happier

Picture by Petr Kratochvil (publicdomainpictures.net)

Humming has recently been proven to have certain health benefits, like helping to keep your sinuses healthy, but it's been used as a way to relax and heal your body for much longer. The 'ohm' chanting in yoga is the most obvious example.
If you've never tried yoga, it might seem like a weird habit to start off by saying 'ohm' a couple of times. It doesn't mean anything, does it? It's just a sound.

Well, that's exactly the thing. It's a sound. And sound means vibration. Vibrations can be a very powerful way to relax your muscles.
Ever stood on one of those shaking massage machines? That's the same basic principle (but much more expensive!)

I find humming helps me to relax my body and calm my breathing. It's also a great cheer-up tool when you're feeling down. Just hum a tune.

I suggest you invest a couple of minutes in finding a song that's cheerful and soothing to you (or two different ones, if those two concepts clash) and that you can hum easily. Make this your go-to humming tune, something you can refer to whenever you need it.
Alternatively, for a more mystical but also more effective experience, just hum a tone. They call this 'toning' and it's done by just humming the same note. Deep breath in, humming breath out, and repeat. Easy!

Humming slows down your breathing, and makes each breath more effective by letting your body absorb more oxygen on the inhale.
If you have kids or pets, you might find you're not the only one who's soothed by the sound of your own humming.

What kind of humming tunes are you thinking of?  Do you already hum along to music on your iPod or MP3? Have you ever paid attention to the effect it has on you? I'd love to hear your views!