Do you know that feeling when your favourite song comes up on the radio and you look across the room to see if anyone else acknowledges the significance of the moment? Yes, music has that effect on us.
It elevates us. It shapes us. It pushes us further. It connects us, often with one another, because we are naturally inclined to share the experience.
It has been scientifically proven that music helps us endure difficult moments as much as thrive even more in winning situations. Perhaps the way to accelerate and celebrate your success is none other than blasting loud your favourite tunes!
Here are three reasons how music actually has your back…
1. Music increases your energy
There are days that you’re so tired, you just can’t be bothered to do anything, let alone going for your gym class. While cancelling your booking seems quite alluring, showing up in a bad mood is ultimately the better idea. Want to know why? Because we guarantee that soon enough you’ll forget about the tiredness and feel better.
Plug in your headphones and play your favourite tunes as you begin your workout. Soon enough fatigue and boredom will be a thing of the past.
Listening to music competes for our brain’s attention, and can help us to override those signals of fatigue, though this is mostly beneficial for low- and moderate-intensity exercise.
via Buffer
Experts suggest listening to music at around 145 bpm as the golden mean. There are three genres that perfectly fulfil the criteria: Pop (110-140 bpm), Hip Hop (110-140 bpm), House (120-135 bpm). Anything above 145 bpm won’t contribute with additional motivational gravitas, e.g. Drum & Bass (150-180 bpm)
2. Music boosts your mood
Research shows that listening to your favourite artists can trigger an emotional response way beyond recognition and appreciation. It can create a link through time and space. That’s right. While you’re busting your ass on the gym floor, your brain will attach your hustle to the chain of associations to a particular artist and multiply your connections with their music. How awesome is this?!
People love music for much the same reason they’re drawn to sex, drugs, gambling and delicious food, according to new research. When you listen to tunes that move you, the study found, your brain releases dopamine, a chemical involved in both motivation and addiction.
via Seeker
Listening to music we love causes our brain to release the hormone dopamine also known as the happy or the feel-good chemical. It’s no wonder then we find music so pleasurable. But are we making the best use of it?!
3. Music and exercise are the real power couple
Tuning in your playlist doesn’t just boost your mood, it actively interacts with your brain to boost your endurance.
When listening to music, people run farther, bike longer and swim faster than usual—often without realizing it […] music often changes people’s perception of their own effort throughout a workout: it seems easier to run those 10 miles or complete a few extra biceps curls when Beyoncé or Eminem is right there with you.
Next time you’re in a workout crisis, simply blast your favourite tunes and you’ll totally make the extra effort.
