4 ways music can power up your life (with Charlie)

For so many of you, music is everything. It’s not only the soundtrack to a lost weekend, it’s a key element in our everyday activity, from getting to work, to commuting, hanging out with friends, exercising and much more. 

However it complements your lifestyle, music is a powerful source of inspiration. We spoke to @run.dem.crew bossman and all round music don Charlie Dark (@daddydarkrdc). Charlie’s decorated musical history includes a long-running connection with the legendary Mo’Wax (through Attica Blues), world tours and a highly-regarded discography. Here he drops some knowledge on how to power up your life with music… 

IT’S LIKE MEDITATION
It's a Saturday night, you’re hearing the craziest record, then there's the most soulful breakdown. When you look around, you see people with their eyes closed and their hands in the air. It can be such a visceral experience that you’re no longer thinking about the past or the future. You’re there, immersed in the moment with your friends, enjoying each tune as it comes. That is meditation, and it’s so good for the soul.

IT GETS YOU MOVING
Moving your body is a crucial aspect of overall wellbeing, keeping you from stagnating and, as you get older, maintaining the health of your muscles and joints. All of that stimulation is like free medicine inside your body

THE JOY FACTOR
When scientists and non-music people come to sport and wellness, they get the music wrong completely. They're like, “Okay, so it must be harder and faster so you perform better”. Actually, it’s the joy in the music that promotes better performance, no matter the BPM. If it’s a good tune we're still gonna move. When we feel good, those happy hormones can boost our ability to go beyond our limits. 

A NATURAL HIGH
You don’t need any substances to get high when the music is so good. No matter the genre, or tempo, euphoric moments can come in many forms. When you’re running, the physical exertion is complemented, and often amplified, by a great soundtrack. It’s the same with a lot of other activities.