Published 02 June 2026
Can listening to music help you move more?
Short answer - yes! As humans, we are naturally drawn to rhythm. We recognise it, anticipate it, and often feel the urge to move with it.
Research published by Williams and Bentley (2026) shows that music-based activities can encourage people, especially children, to move more and stay engaged in physical activity. Other studies also highlight the role of music in supporting performance and improving mood.
One reason for this is that music can help support coordinated movement. When movement feels more coordinated, it can feel easier and more enjoyable to repeat.
How does this happen?
Music can trigger the release of dopamine, the brain’s feel-good chemical. This means we can move more, feel better while doing it, and feel motivated to come back and do it again. In this way, music plays an important role in supporting both physical and mental health by making movement more accessible, enjoyable, and sustainable.
Music and physical health
Music can make exercise more appealing, and the benefits of regular exercise are no secret. Being physically active every day helps boost our immunity, but sometimes less recognised is the role that music plays in improving our physical performance.
According to the National Centre for Health Research, faster-paced or upbeat music can actually help people move more quickly and exercise for longer.
Think about the last time you exercised while listening to music you enjoy. Were you focused on how your body felt, or were you more engaged with what you were listening to? Music can help shift attention away from fatigue, which may make exercise feel more manageable.
Music and mental health
Music is also known to support mental wellbeing. Research into music therapy has found links between music and improvements in mood, including for people experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Music can also encourage engagement and social interaction, which are important for overall wellbeing. Whether it is through group activities or shared experiences, music can help people feel more connected.
Music can be a simple but powerful way to make movement feel more enjoyable and easier to maintain over time. Whether you are going for a walk, exercising at home or joining a group activity, adding music you enjoy may help you stay motivated and keep moving in a way that feels good for you.
