As a mom of two young kids, running is one of the few regular constants in my life that helps me feel grounded, gives me pause, and brings me back to myself.

The other week, I ran 10 miles through Philadelphia with 40,000 strangers who didn’t feel like strangers. At the start line, the Rocky theme played as each wave of runners was released; we jumped around in place, feeling the energy shift. The humidity was brutal, and by mile seven, my body was dragging. I put on a track with a 180 bpm beat, and even though my feet didn’t quite match it, my will did. Music didn’t just get me through. It connected me to everyone around me.

One earbud in, one out. That’s the rule I made for myself—not just for safety, though that matters too—but for awareness. Of streets. Of strangers. Of moments I don’t want to miss. It’s how I run through my city. And how I try to live inside my life.

The science supports what many runners and musicians have always known: Our bodies are wired to move to rhythm. When we hear a steady beat, the brain’s motor areas are activated—even if we’re sitting still.

© Psychology Today