By Emily McLaughlin

Everyone has that one artist, album, band or song that they could play on repeat for hours. Music has therapeutic tendencies, helping the human mind to calm in times of stress or sadness. In one of my academic classes at the UMass, we discussed how listening to music can help the human body and mind reach a state of flow. Reaching flow means that you have reached the point where you mind is completely focused on one thing, or a certain task at hand. You aren’t worried about time, space or distance in states of flow – in fact, you are not worried about anything at all.

Athletes reach flow during competitive games, artist reach flow while creating a masterpiece, writers reach flow when they begin to write and dancers reach flow when they start moving across the floor. I’m sure you can relate to this in one way or another. You are doing *something* and then snap back to reality, “Wait, what time is it? How long has it been?”

For me… I’m really, really, really looking forward to my next long run. I’ve added Babel to my iPod and am ready to run for an hour straight. I want to reach a state of flow, and stay there for a while — not snapping out until the album ends and I realize I’m running in silence. Music helps a lot of us reach a state of flow–which is extremely important when working out. You don’t want your workout to drag on… you want it to be over in a blink of an eye because you were in-the-zone.

I have been waiting for this new Mumford and Sons album for a while, and so far… it has not disappointed. The minute it was available on Spotify, I synced it to my iPod for my next workout.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to get that long run in for a week now because I have this really unfortunate cold. But if you know me… you know I’m antsier than ever.

Also, I am so sorry that I have been so absent. Between going to Amherst last weekend, being sick this week, and getting in gear to MOVE (!!!) this weekend… I haven’t had time to chat. But, don’t worry there are a few posts coming your way.

Stay HEALTHY, happy and dry on this rainy, rainy Sunday.