Mind, Body, Soul: The Relationship between Music, Fitness, and Mental Well-Being
By Soley Ólafsdóttir
With increasing mental health issues facing the world and particularly youth, I have been doing a lot of thinking regarding the ways that both I, and others combat stress, anxiety, and other negative existential feelings. Of course, there is a significant difference between diagnosed mental illness and negative feelings, but in some ways, similar methods are used to work against these feelings. Finding time to focus on yourself and your mental well-being has become more prevalent than ever. I have many tactics to combat the chaos, but the ones I would offer as suggestions to others would be running, listening to music, and meditating.
Running is scientifically proven to make people feel good. During any physical activity, the body produces dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and endorphins. Each of these neurotransmitters makes people feel better -- they are natural chemicals in the body that act as stress relievers and happiness boosters.
Music has also been proven to make people feel better. Essentially, most people would agree that listening to music can calm the mind or energize the body. Most people I talk to about music seem to think that I am a fanatic of sorts. I listen to a wide variety of genres from a range of decades. With thousands of song choices, I can use upbeat music to boost my mood or destress with either rock or calmer songs. Discovering new music, analyzing lyrics, and singing along is something I have done from a young age. Music has never failed to help me during a despondent state or bring me into a tranquil one.
“In a perfect world, I would not need frequencies to do this, but some days the world isn’t quite perfect, and in that case, Hz frequencies are incredibly helpful.”
This leads me to my last method to happiness or at least inner peace, which is meditation. At first, I used guided meditations, but as I got more and more comfortable with them, I have begun leading myself through my own meditation, oftentimes using Hz frequencies. I usually take 10 minutes at least once a day to meditate, slow down, and focus on my breathing. I used to only meditate when I needed to, but now I meditate out of habit and because I never lose anything from it. I do not suppose anyone really needs the frequencies or that they enhance meditation at all, but personally, they help me stay focused and not let my mind wander down an endless path of thoughts -- essentially, they are a shortcut or hack to clearing my mind and redirecting my attention and thoughts. In a perfect world, I would not need frequencies to do this, but some days the world isn’t quite perfect, and in that case, Hz frequencies are incredibly helpful. Hz frequencies aside, meditation is obviously great. Anyone who has tried it knows that it can be frustrating, but almost always, the frustration of quieting the mind pays off, allowing them to end the mediation in a better headspace than before.
Having spoken enough about myself and my tactics at this point, I decided to interview four seniors about their experiences with exercise and music. As a Trevor athlete, I decided that talking to other Trevor athletes would be a good way to either confirm or test my opinions. In the section below, I will be sharing responses from Santi Canella, Daniel Lewis, Ana Morgan, and Yara Saabneh to a few questions I asked them. Although I did not ask very specific questions, I think the consensus is clear: Exercise and music can have great mental health benefits.
In which ways do you work out?
Santi: I go spar and practice Muay Thai (Thailand fighting style) with a friend of mine occasionally. I also play soccer every once in a while. Other than that it’s at-home workouts such as push-ups etc.
Daniel: I run long-distance, box, and weight lift.
Ana: Yoga mainly, usually ashtanga because it’s more static, sometimes YouTube video home workouts.
Yara: I play soccer and tennis, so those are my main sports. When I’m not playing organized sports, I usually just run. That’s my go-to way of working out.
Why do you work out?
Santi: To be fit. Covid makes me feel lethargic, and the feeling after a workout is so opposite to that. It feels wonderful.
Daniel: I work out to train for cross-country and track. Besides that, all three types of working out, but running in specific, is the best form of mental relaxation and stress reliever.
Ana: It’s good for your soul; I know my body wants it. And especially stretching and flexibility are important to me.
Yara: I usually work out to feel good. It just puts me in a better mood. I also work out to stay fit for soccer season and for tennis.
If you listen to music when you work out, why? Is music a motivator or something else?
Santi: I don’t usually listen to music since I’m working out with people; however, I do think music can be a great motivator when you are alone. Music hypes you up, which is sometimes needed to work hard and push through your max.
Ana: I listen to music to distract me and to hype me up. I also like listening to podcasts and audiobooks.
Yara: I usually listen to songs that make me energized; that make running a bit easier. Top three would be “Juicy” by Doja Cat, “Home” by BTS, and “Run” by BTS.
If your answer to why you exercise was not related to your mental wellbeing, do you feel as though exercising has a great effect on how you feel?
Santi: Working out is 100% beneficial for mental health, now more than ever.
Ana: Yoga is a good mental exercise. I know it is good for me, but it’s still hard.