FitSugar

Do You Listen to Music to Help You Fall Asleep?

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 04:30:13 -0700

When I was in college, my roommate loved to listen to relaxing music to help her fall asleep. I thought it'd keep me awake, but it turned out to be a great way to de-stress and drown out the sounds of screaming people in the hallway. I kept the habit until I started dating my now-husband, since the only way he can fall asleep is with complete silence. What about you?

Do You Work Out to Music You Wouldn't Otherwise Listen To?

FitSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:34 -0700

Bjork has a song on her album Homogenic titled "Pluto" where she really screams. Or rather moans loudly, repeatedly. It feels like heavy electronica to me, which is not my fave. Although I love the Icelandic singer, I hate that song . . . that is, unless I'm running. Then I love it. The song makes me run harder and I appreciate the inspiration.

If you don't want the conversation about the relationship between music and fitness to end here, join Music to Help Us Exercise. Caution: The group has an auto-play playlist that will inspire you to move. If you're at work, turn down the volume on your computer before clicking the link.

Photo Source: Apple

Relax Already: With Soothing Music

FitSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:35 -0700

Music has the power to soothe the soul. So even on days when you forget to set your alarm clock, accidentally wash your cellphone in the laundry, or get home from work and immediately step in your cat's throw-up, hearing some calming melodies is sure to clear your mind of the day's troubles. Here are some of my favorite tranquil tunes, so you can listen while taking a bath, sipping a cup of hot tea or doing some gentle stretching.

To hear this soothing playlist keep reading

Favorite Workout Songs

FitSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:00:46 -0700

Music motivates movement, and if you need some ideas for what tunes to turn up for your next workout, here are some suggestions from fellow FitSugar readers.

To hear the playlist, click play after you read more.

P.L.O.W. - Better Version of Me

FitSugar — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

Life is complicated and bad habits, once tamed, can reappear under moments of stress. None of us are perfect. We all fall off the health wagon occasionally, but we must dust ourselves off and hop back on. Inspired by Fiona Apple's self improvement ditty "Better Version of Me," I have made a little playlist about finding hope in the mundane bits of daily adversity. There are no power anthems in this playlist, but it's great for a 30-minute cardio workout with a slow song to accompany your cool down.

To listen, click on the arrow button when you read more.

Fit Tip: Use Music to Motivate You Pre-Workout

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 09:30:06 -0700

Many of you said that you listen to music to while working out. It's a great way to keep your energy levels high and can help you push harder than you would without tunes. It's not the working out that's tough for most of us, though; it's getting the motivation to work out in the first place. So use the power of your favorite kick-ass song to get you motivated into your sports bra and sneaks. For some ideas on what tunes to blast, read more.

What Kind of Music Do You Listen to When You Work Out?

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:00:10 -0700

After years of rocking out while exercising, I recently downloaded Mahler's Sixth Symphony and have been listening to it on long runs. It's great, I swear. While I wouldn't listen to classical while doing intervals, this addition has opened up my workout music library. I am curious about you . . .

Source: Flickr User Ed Yourdon

P.L.O.W. - A Tribute to Michael Jackson

FitSugar — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0700

As many of you were, I was saddened to hear the surprising news about Michael Jackson's passing. I have always been a fan of his music, and his upbeat songs definitely motivate me to work out harder. So here's a tribute playlist to the King of Pop. It's full of fast-tempo tunes to kick your cardio workout into full gear.

To hear it, read more.

Music Soothes the Soul but Can It Heal the Heart?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Music has the power to touch our souls. Since listening to certain types of music soothes the mind and reduces anxiety, hospitals all over the US are trying out music therapy on patients suffering from ailments such as brain disorders, heart problems, and cancer, and are discovering it's helping speed up recovery time.

Dr. Claudius Conrad, a senior surgical resident at Harvard Medical School and a gifted pianist, says, “Research has already shown that if you play a piece - like Mozart - at a certain slow beat, the listener will adapt their heart beat to the beat of the music.” Critically ill patients were able to take fewer sedatives when listening to classical piano sonatas, and their blood pressure and heart rates eased. Patients also had a 50 percent spike in pituitary growth hormone, which is known to stimulate healing. So it's not the fact that a song can make us smile - music can actually affect how the brain and body functions.

Classical music has been a top choice for doctors and surgeons since according to researchers at Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute in New Jersey, "vibrations of stringed instruments in particular are said to mesh with the energy of the heart, small intestine, pericardium, and thyroid and adrenal glands." Not everyone loves Beethoven and Chopin though, so it's recommended to listen to joyful music that brings out a natural high and gets your endorphins and blood flowing. Tell me, if you were sick or in recovery, what type of music would you want to listen to?

Source

P.L.O.W. - Pop Songs For a Pumpin' Cardio Workout

FitSugar — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:30:00 -0700

It's time to kick it up a notch and get your body pumping with some loud songs that inspire you to move fast and hard. So check out this playlist that will keep you going strong for 40 minutes straight.

Total Time: 39.51

Source