“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”
It is estimated that 93% of Canadians listen to music; you can listen to music while driving, walking, at work, and so much more. Music is known for its positive benefits, such as reducing boredom, providing enjoyment, managing emotions, masking disturbing noise, and inducing relaxation. The type of music you listen to can change your walking speed – you tend to walk faster when you listen to music with an upbeat base and a happy tone.
We here at the NWTRPA love music while being active. We thought it would be nice to share with you a short list of why music is beneficial to you while walking.
- Boosting mood and energy: Listening to music can boost your mood, increase your energy levels, and help you stay motivated while walking.
- Enhancing focus and concentration: Music can help you stay focused and concentrated on your walk, especially if you are walking in a noisy or distracting environment.
- Regulating pace: Music with a fast beat can help regulate your pace, making you walk faster and increasing the intensity of your workout.
- Providing a distraction: Music can serve as a distraction from fatigue, discomfort, or boredom, helping you to push through and continue your walk.
- Improving coordination and balance: Walking to the beat of music can improve your coordination and balance, making your walk smoother and more enjoyable.
- Relieving stress and anxiety: Music has a calming effect and can help relieve stress and anxiety, making your walk more relaxing and rejuvenating.
- Creating a positive association: Listening to music while walking can create a positive association with exercise, making it more enjoyable and helping you to stick with it.
The NWTRPA staff listens to all types of music – I love listening to Taylor Swift and country music, Sheena and Nuka sing along to Coolio and all sorts of Hip-Hop, Ivania loves Julieta Venegas indie-rock vibes, David is a huge Alexisonfire fan, and Tim, well he makes his own music!
What music do you listen to when walking? If you were to have a single song on repeat during your walk, what would it be? We want to know!