You’re breathless, sweat running down your eyebrows and into your eyes, and you want nothing more than to go back to bed, under the gentle breeze of your ceiling fan, your head resting on the cool side of your pillow on the softer. It’s a fantasy that seems so out of reach; you’re already wondering if your jello legs will be able to hold you up longer.
But then, a silver lining: a song hits your playlist, and just like that, your mental toughness reaches new heights. Your heart begins to beat to the rhythm of the music. The sound of Beyoncé’s voice rings in your ear, telling you over and over that you RUN. THE. WORLD. And in no time, you’ve surpassed your daily run goal thanks to Queen B.
The feeling that you can literally “rule the world” doesn’t have to be fleeting for 3 minutes and 57 seconds. Who says that runner’s high can’t last the duration of your run? It’s actually a lot more achievable than you might think, and the key is to listen to uplifting songs on repeat. Here are the top 5 that you should definitely add to your running playlist.
1. “Midnight Sky” by Miley Cyrus
I was born to run, I don’t belong to anyone, oh no
I don’t need to be loved by you
Fire in my lungs, can’t bite the devil on my tongue, oh no
I don’t need to be loved by you
Are you in shape to impress all your Instagram followers? Are you trying to get revenge on your ex with your new “revenge body”? Whatever your motivations, remember that ultimately the most important person in your journey is you and no one else. Getting caught up in what people might say or think about you can send you into a spiral of toxic thoughts. Some days, it’s more encouraging to forget that noise and just focus on yourself and your well-being. Miley’s lyrics are a fitting reminder that the approval of others comes only second to self-love.
2. “Do It” by Chloe x Halle
And that’s how we do
Yeah, that’s just how we do it
And you could do it too
No complaints
Left the heels at home, I’m on my sneaker game
There are days when I feel like my mind is playing tricks on me, telling me I’m too tired to continue despite having proven it wrong hundreds of times before. Fortunately, the repetitive assertion of Chloé x Halle”that’s how we do it” is all you need to hear to overcome intrusive thoughts. Instead of trying to distract yourself from running, settle into the rhythm of every step you take. Some might disagree , but I think the most challenging runs aren’t the dumbest ones where you pull away and get distracted, but where you fully embrace the act of running.”Do It” by Chloe x Halle is the hype song perfect for driving that mindset – it’s the background music to some of my best races.
3. “I love myself” by Demi Lovato
I am my worst critic
talk a lot of shit
But I’m a ten out of ten
Even when I forget
I’m a ten out of ten, never forget that
Demi’s song empowers me, not by telling me to turn on my beast mode, but by reminding me to calm down. If you’re stuck in a rut that you can’t get over, or if you haven’t reached all of your goals yet, it’s hard not to blame yourself. When you push yourself so hard that you end up giving up, it’s not worth it. But when you think about how far your strength has already taken you and how much you’ve achieved so far, things don’t seem so overwhelming, especially when Demi Lovato is singing through you.
4. “Brave” by Moriah Peters
I will fight like a soldier
(BRAVE) rise like a warrior
(BRAVE) won’t stop until the last day
(BRAVE) I want to be stronger
(BRAVE) gonna be bolder
(BRAVE) look up and I see the way
You make me brave
The only thing better than a personal trainer telling you to keep going is Moriah Peters singing BRAVE into your headphones until you feel it in your soul, coursing through your veins and beaming through your aching legs. This song is both grounding and uplifting, encouraging you by declaring that you’re not only brave, you’re not alone and anything is possible. Finding strength from within is easier said than done, because on some days praying through your aching muscles is the only conceivable way to pull yourself out of the discouragement you are facing. But Moriah Peters lyrics can help you every time.
5. Lizzo’s “Juice”
If I shine, everybody gon’ shine (Yeah, I got goals)
I was born like this, I don’t even have to try (now you know)
I’m like chardonnay, I get better with time (So you know)
Heard you say I’m not the baddest, bitch, you’re lying
Running doesn’t always have to feel like a super intense Nike commercial, especially since all the positive energy you could ever need is in a single Lizzo song – seriously, I feel like I could run it all a marathon every time I listen to music. Whether I’m lost in the beat or the lyrics, this song embodies the state of mind I wish I was in all the time, even if I’m not running. Loving yourself is one thing, but letting everyone know about it takes it to a whole new level. There’s nothing quite like a good Lizzo song to keep your heart pounding, your feet moving, and your spirit elevated.
