I live for music. To say my life revolves around it would be an understatement. Due to my kids being in a successful touring band that has been a family project since they were 10 years old, I am completely immersed in the music scene. Not only is much of my daily life centered around music, but it’s also an avenue in which I’ve found healing and motivation for as long as I can remember. Music is nostalgic, motivating, healing, a necessary distraction, an energy boost, and it taps into our emotions. When I run I love to listen to playlists that suit my mood and motivate me when my energy is low. 

Metal will always be my favorite genre. There’s just something so impactful about its heaviness that’s always resonated with me. It boosts my momentum running uphills, forces a faster cadence as I connect with the beat, and it distracts me from negative thoughts that often take over my mind. Rare are the runs when I haven’t been transported to another world by the power of music. However, lately things have started to change.

My kids playing live.

When I first got back to running after a forced hiatus due to medical issues, I found myself reluctant to turn my iPod on until after the 1st mile or so. I needed to enjoy being outside, grateful for the accomplishment of simply getting out the door and moving. Then I’d find myself at the end of my run, earbuds still firmly planted in my ears, yet remaining silent. I’m not sure why, but I realized the more I ran, the more reluctant I was to press play.

My mindset was changing. Perhaps it was due to the birds’ return in the early spring, breaking the silence of a cold winter morning, signaling something new about to be born. I found myself drawn to their songs that transported me out of my mind and into my surroundings. Then I noticed other sounds that made me smile as my run progressed. My ears were drawn to the lawnmower in the distance reminding me to be grateful for the weather.  After a rainstorm the water rushing in the streams instilled a sense of peace. Chipmunks and deer rustling through the woods kept me alert as I initially jumped to the conclusion it must be a bear ready to attack. I noticed my rhythmic breath and the crunch of my feet making contact with the road reassuring me I was still alive.

Connecting with nature is the key that keeps me holding on to this quiet. Of course, even with music blaring in my ears I can still see it all around me, but it’s much more mesmerizing when there’s no other distractions. When a band is singing in my ears the outer world can often seem surreal, almost as if I’m floating in another dimension (and sometimes that’s exactly what I need). When I’m fully engaged with the surrounding environment though, it’s a completely different experience, and there are special moments I would have missed if I wasn’t totally aware. For example, running along the river recently, I would’ve been oblivious to the sound of something splashing in the water below me if I had my iPod playing. I would’ve failed to witness an amazing moment where two deer frolicked in the river.

I’m aware that oftentimes I begin a run in a bad frame of mind, usually when it’s morning. (I’m not a morning person at all!) Negative thoughts seep into my consciousness, swirling around chaotically, threatening to ruin an entire run if gone unchecked. Music often helps as a distraction, but I noticed that when I begin in silence and acknowledge the sounds of nature surrounding me it disrupts the negative energy in my brain and recenters me. I’m connected to all that’s around me. My train of thought shifts as I’m pulled out of my head. Just the other day I noticed —I mean really noticed — a field of wildflowers I’ve run by countless times and I immediately felt so content and grateful. From there I made a conscious effort to notice other beautiful places I’ve taken for granted, and even though I’ve run the same roads for the past 15 years, there was no shortage of beauty to absorb. In these moments all negativity dissipates and is replaced with prayers of gratitude.

I have a tendency to allow my thoughts to run wild as if I have no control over them. But in these quiet moments, I’ve realized that with effort, practice and a few little tricks I can change the wild thoughts when they invade.  ( Remember all the amazing benefits of movement on our brain that I’ve written about before? They aide these positive changes beautifully.) 

I’m never going to swear off running with music, simply because I love it so much and the right song can certainly create its own magic. But I will definitely be more likely to leave the earbuds home a few times a week. There’s so much beauty out there and I don’t want to miss out on connecting to it. Even when it’s raining there’s something so soothing and cleansing about the rhythm of the raindrops falling all around me. There’s no circumstance where a little connection with nature can’t help us all to be more appreciative and content.

Turning my music off has sparked a deeper appreciation for the seemingly small stuff like wildflowers, mountain views and animals running free. Though I guess when I really think about it, it’s not small stuff after all if simply acknowledging these things has the power to transform my mind. The next time you go for a run or walk, pay attention to the sights and sounds of nature and notice the calming effect it has on you. It’s something I hope we all get to experience and appreciate more often.