Making Bodies Better

Working out and music have always gone hand in hand for me. Good beats in my ears
motivate me, set a good tempo and pace for running, and flat out just make me happy. There have been very few days that I have set out for a run without pushing play on my playlist before I finish lacing up my shoes.

Which is why I tripped on thin air when out of the blue I had an urge to leave my headphones on the doorstep.

It is still unknown to me why I no longer wanted my favorite songs to feed my runs, but I went with it. And it turns out, I actually enjoy my runs more. I’m sure there will still be some days I choose to connect to my music app, but for now I am completely content with running in silence.

Here is why:

1. Ability to consistently tune into to your breath.

   Focusing on your breath and breathing rhythmically to your footsteps is meditative and and very beneficial. Your breathing is more efficient and oxygen exchange is more effective when you use more lung space to breath. By using your footsteps and your breath as a focal point you can create a steady pace of breathing. Think about deepening your inhales and extending your exhales. If you are listening to music, you are more likely to breath to your beats and tuning into your body is more difficult to do.

2. Pay attention to your body and your surroundings without distraction.

   Observing your body while running or working out is essential for improvement. Noticing your posture, how your feet are hitting the pavement and how your body is mechanically carrying out what you are asking it to do is important. By monitoring how you feel during your workouts you can alter what needs to change to become better.

3. Appreciate the beautiful world around you.

   Disconnecting from technology is extremely difficult these days. Our phones are always within an arms reach. Our lives at home and at work rely heavily on technology and we are constantly stimulated by computers, televisions, iPads etc. Running or working out outside, disconnected, allows us to tune into nature. It’s beautiful and completely necessary to soak up the sun rays, smell the flowers, absorb green energy and listen to the songs of the birds and croaks of the frogs.