Whether you’re losing fat, gaining muscle or trying to maintain your weight. Running and jogging remains one of the best cardiovascular exercises you can do. This activity shouldn’t be restricted for just hobbyists, it is well-known what are the numerous effects running do to your body and your brain. Because exercising releases endorphins, running lowered the risk of developing depression, research showed. For some joggers, weekly running volume is important time alone with their thoughts. For others, a quality distraction is what pushes them forward.
More and more runners use music to hold back distracting thoughts that may make the running experience awful, after all they’re doing it for the greater good of their health. Listening to your favorite tune keeps you in pace and helps you persevere to the final mile. But have you ever wondered why music feels good? See, your favorite melodies activate certain parts of your brain that are responsible for pleasure and happiness. Plus, it can release feel-good chemicals like dopamine and endorphins, which can give you a natural high and help boost your mood. And if that wasn’t enough, the physical effects of music on your body – like increased heart rate and blood flow – can also contribute to those warm and fuzzy feelings.
While there’s nothing wrong with a good jam session, there are a few downsides to consider. Firstly, loud music can lead to hearing loss over time – the World Health Organization recommends that the maximum volume for personal audio devices be set at 85 decibels to protect against hearing loss. Many headphones and earbuds are capable of producing sounds much louder than this, and when you are running and your body is in motion, the sounds can become even more amplified. This can lead to long-term hearing damage if you are exposed to loud music for extended periods of time. Research shows that consistently listening to music on earphones produces unalterable damage to your ears. Furthermore, for safety reasons, having your tunes turned up too loud can be a major distraction and make it tough to pay attention to your surroundings. This is a big deal when you’re out for a run, because you need to be aware of your surroundings in order to avoid a tragedy.
So then what is the alternative? Audiobooks & Podcasts.
According to Chris Friesen, a clinical psychologist who specializes in sport and performance psychology, running can actually help open your mind to new information and boost creativity. Friesen suggests listening to a podcast or audiobook while running to take advantage of this brain boost. Even without music, running can put you in the right state of mind to tackle problems and think creatively. Friesen, director of Friesen Sport & Performance Psychology in Ontario, explains that when you’re running, there’s enough activity in your brain to keep it semi-activated, leaving plenty of “cognitive space” for learning something new, planning out your day, or waiting for that big idea or solution to hit you. So next time you hit the pavement, don’t just think of it as a way to get in shape, but also as a way to exercise your mind.
“There’s evidence that people become more open to new information and more creative while running” – Chris Friesen (Washington Post, 2016)
Running constitutes the moment to dump your brain, and there isn’t a more perfect opportunity to immerse yourself on informative content and be doubly productive. Chris Friesen, the author of “Achieve”, said we’re naturally built for running, and for that reason running engages the automatic, or nonconscious, aspects of our brain, freeing up and activating the conscious part. Running also releases dopamine and serotonin (that I mentioned above) into the bloodstream, further boosting the potential for creative thinking.
The secrets that let audiobooks get a great deal of public attention is convenience, they provide a great way to fit more books into your daily life, as well as being easily accessible with their relatively cheap cost, all of which make audiobooks a great companion during your next workout without the harmful effects of loud music.
But why?
They’re a great learning opportunity
Jogging and running don’t require much brain effort, I suppose everybody’s mind is able to focus on other things once they start the act of running. The beauty of audiobooks is that they’re easy to focus on while also partaking in another activity. So when you combine your exercises with a good listen you’ll get to reach your daily workout goal while also stimulating your mind and gaining a learning experience.
They’re a great distractions
That’s the main reason people listen to music while getting the workout done. But surprisingly this same benefit that music carries is also provided by podcasts. From guided meditations to self improvement books, those types of listening push you to the limits and help you improve your physical activity.
You may begin to feel that you have the opportunity to immediately apply the lessons from your current self-improvement book, or have a strong drive to extend your running session just to complete the thrilling part of the story. All of those help you feel less inclined to skip a day just for that healthy dopamine pump.
Getting started
If you’d like to start incorporating audiobooks in your daily jog, below are some of the best services you can try:
| Service | Price | Unique features | Free Trial offer |
| Audible | $7.95/month $14.95/month $22.95/month | Unlimited access to Audible Plus Catalog that includes 68,000 hours worth of content. Best narrators in the market. One credit per month that can be used to claim any title, these titles will be available forever + 30% discount for any additional content you purchase from the Premium catalog. Includes 2 credits per month. | 30-day free trial with one free audiobook credit |
| Scribd | $11.99/month | The largest library on the net, you’ll get access to over half a million titles that not only includes books in a wide variety of genres, but also ebooks, magazines, comics, sheet music selections, and user-contributed written works such as short stories and essays | 30-day free trial |
| Audiobooks | $14.95/month | Monthly credit redeemed to access one of over 375,000 audiobooks forever or join one of 8 clubs for 30 days of unlimited listening to thousands of bestselling and classic audiobooks. | Get any 2 books, plus a bonus VIP book in your free trial. |
| Spotify | Free, premium starts at $9.99/month | Wide variety of audio content including music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Personalized recommendations based on listening history. | 1 Month free trial |
| Libby | Free (with library card) | If you happen to live next to a public library you can access unlimited audiobooks for free. | N/A (free with library card) |
| Pocket Casts | Free, $14.99/year. | A vast library of content. Organize podcasts in a single folder, desktop app and watch playback | N/A. Free version is available |
| Overcast | Free, with optional $9.99/year for premium features | Smart Speed feature that shortens silences, saving time. Voice Boost that balances audio levels. Customizable playlists | N/A. Free version is available |
