Music motivates us

The other day, there was an article in the Globe and Mail by Mark Fenske about how to "Power up with music: How it motivates us". Music can be a powerful force. In fact, it is sometimes banned (along with steroids and stimulant drugs) to prevent athletes from gaining an unfair advantage during competitions. Why? Because of its capacity to energize and increase endurance.
The driving beats and locomotive thunder of bass-heavy dance music have undoubtedly fuelled many of running sessions.
One of music's energizing effects comes from its ability to engage the body's sympathetic nervous system. The activation of this system readies the body for action whenever we face a challenge in our environment.
Music is comprised of patterns of sounds that have been shown to affect levels of physical excitability. A simple increase in the pace of the music we listen can quicken our pulse and accelerate our breathing And this can be great for physical exercise or a boring task that might lull you to sleep.
The article suggests further ways that music motivates us. Wonderful.