Soundtrack Your Life
I often get dogged on at work because I've usually got at least one earbud in, even when walking between meetings. I have to justify that I use music (of a wide variety) to enhance whatever my current process is, be it running, lifting heavy things over and over again, prepping the mind for a big game, or just getting shit done at work.
I'll try to keep this post short and sweet, but hopefully this helps you also provide your friends and colleagues justification for why you have your headphones on so often.
I often use references from this scientific study in my notes below (look at the big brain on Brad…), so feel free to dive deeper and read the entire thing if that is your jam: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702473/
Examples:
Cycling / Running: I stopped running with music a long time ago, but when I started, and hated the first few miles, I absolutely ran faster and better with a little fast-paced music. There are podcasts, Spotify playlists, and many other ways to find music ranked by BPM as well, which is incredibly useful in finding music that actually matches or helps you increase your pace / cadence for running and cycling.
Creative Process: Try some Jazz, guitar music like Rodrigo y Gabriella, or classic Hip Hop. Improvisational music styles help fuel your own ability to spitball or throw out ideas without pausing to judge your own thoughts.
Deep Focus: Use classical music, especially Baroque composers like Bach and Handel, to help your mind focus and sort out information. Your brain sharpens and engages when you expect to hear something, but find surprise when an unanticipated chord or harmony kicks in. Science!
Eating with Music is Dope: Listening to music releases dopamine, the neurotransmitter in your brain that helps heighten the pleasure you get from activities like eating. If you've ever listened to a song that you love, or something that moves you, you have probably even felt goosebumps or started to shorten your breath a bit. So grill up some food, pour a few glasses for your special someone or friends, and turn on a little Ella Fitzgerald or Hall and Oates to add a little boost to the mood.
In sum, a soundtrack for different areas of your life make things work better. This is proven by science for things like studying/productivity, exercise, and many other items listed above. Plus, there has even been a song proven by science to help you sleep.
