Embracing an earworm song can benefit those of us with lupus
A 'melodic mantra' helps to soothe my body
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Something empowering happens when you wake up with a special song looping in your mind. You know, the line or two of lyrics that gently wakes you, continues in your subconscious, then seeps into your fully awake brain until the song is looping in the background of your day.
It is often called an earworm, though researchers may also refer to it as sticky music or stuck song syndrome.
For several days, I’ve woken to an unnamed tune playing in my head, sung in unison by a father and his young son. Once I’m fully awake, I can picture the face of the father, Karega Bailey, and the smiling toddler he carries on his shoulders. The boy bounces to the rhythm of his father’s singing, and my brain sings along, too. It’s a morning affirmation. It’s an all-day affirmation. It’s the Happy Cell Song.
The lyrics go: “Every little cell in my body is happy/ Every little cell in my body is well/ I’m so glad every little cell in my body is happy and well.”
It should be the international anthem for everyone hosting, coexisting with, and fighting autoimmune diseases. Why? Because there is something different about a day that begins with a song that celebrates you, your body, and your healing journey.
Although variations of the tune have existed for decades, it gained popularity in March 2020 when music therapist Allison Davies shared a video of herself singing the song to help ease anxiety during the pandemic. There are similar versions by GOKidz Asia, Phoenix’s House, and many others.
Recently, Jared Burch of Burch Bear Holistic Care initiated a #HappyCellSongChallenge, which encourages people to not only sing the song, but also to track their body’s response and possible obedience to the lyrics.
Davies says the song is a “melodic mantra” — “a short, simple, and potent phrase, where every word is meaningful, sung repetitively to soothe the nervous system.” Singing activates the parasympathetic nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve. Higher vagal activity can help control inflammation, improve heart rate variability, and promote relaxation, resilience, and overall health. It’s similar to how humming and moaning can activate the vagus nerve, as I wrote about earlier this summer.
These activities can be soothing, which may be one reason why my mind woke me up with the earworm.
Another reason is that I emphatically believe every little cell in my body needs to hear that it is happy and well. I want each cell to dance the wellness jig that can fight back against lupus, Sjögren’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, encephalomalacia, rheumatoid arthritis, and all the autoimmune cronies.
If I could, I would sing the Happy Cell Song at the top of my lungs and force cellular obedience. It would be a joyful noise — an off-pitch alto mixed with a baritone cacophony demanding the best from my cells. But, as you may know, lupus can change your voice. In my case, lupus and other autoimmune issues inflame and damage the tissues and joints in my throat, resulting in symptoms like hoarseness, vocal fatigue, and difficulty speaking.
Even if your voice is affected, sing anyway. Welcome the earworm, and sing more. Celebrate with me because our cells are happy and well.
Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.
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