We are beginning to understand why music influences our emotions, and what its beneficial effects on our mental and physical well-being are. It calms us, it motivates us during sporting effort, and it encourages concentration: three simple reasons never to go without it.
It calms us
Who has never listened to a track to relax, to calm down, or even to fall asleep? Gentle music is very beneficial for the body and the brain: it makes it possible, rather like a yoga session, to empty the mind and to feel good. The reason is simple: the choice of music we listen to is a very personal one and evokes unique sensations, tied to our memories and to our state of mind at that moment.
Your best coach for taking up a sporting activity
Music shapes the state of mind of the moment. In the context of practising physical exercise, it becomes a true ally in reaching your goals: by choosing a rhythmic track you enjoy, you feel as though you have grown wings — as on a dance floor, the body tends to move to the rhythm of the track. The more rhythmic and dynamic it is, the more it boosts the effort.
It encourages concentration
Music channels the thoughts and pushes you to focus on the sensations it brings, more or less shutting out what is going on around you. The mind is thus channelled, concentration made easier, as if cut off from outside disturbances (office noise, a ringing telephone, traffic in the street).
One and the same track can calm you before sleep, boost a training session, or cut out ambient noise so you can concentrate: it all depends on the rhythm and the moment chosen.
