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Yes — and a groundbreaking study just proved it in the clearest way possible.

After heart problems, doctors tell patients to walk regularly. Most try… and most eventually give up. But what if the simplest thing in the world — your favourite music — could completely change that?

That’s exactly what happened in a powerful new study published in the Journal of Music Therapy. Researchers from the University of Melbourne and La Trobe University followed 27 ordinary Australians (average age 67) who had just finished cardiac rehabilitation. For six full months they were asked to walk regularly to meet the recommended 150 minutes per week.

Half the group received something extra: personalised music playlists created just for them.

The results were astonishing.

• 96% of the music group (26 out of 27 people) stuck with their walking routine for the entire six months.
• They lost an extra 2.8 cm from their waist compared to those who walked without music — a statistically significant improvement.
• They also showed better exercise capacity, slightly lower blood pressure, and a small but meaningful drop in BMI.

But the real magic wasn’t just the numbers. It was how the participants felt.

Many said their planned 10-minute walks turned into 40-minute adventures without them even noticing. Time flew. They felt energised, happy, and — incredibly — younger again.

One woman in her sixties told researchers: “The memories make me feel like I’m young and so I think I walk faster — like a young woman.”

Another said simply: “It puts you in a different zone. I can block the unpleasant thoughts out with the music.”

Why did music work so well when nothing else had?

The researchers discovered that the playlists weren’t filled with generic “workout beats.” Participants chose their own favourite songs — everything from The Beatles and Patsy Cline to Queen, Neil Diamond, jazz classics and even opera. Some playlists contained nearly 850 tracks.

When the scientists analysed the most-loved songs, they found clear patterns: steady consistent rhythms that matched walking pace, cheerful major keys, rounded melodies that felt comforting, and — most importantly — deep personal meaning. Songs that triggered happy memories, told stories, or simply lifted the mood were the ones that kept people moving.

The music created something powerful called “flow” — that wonderful state where you lose track of time, forget your aches and worries, and just enjoy being in motion. It lifted mood instantly, sparked joyful memories of younger days, and gave walkers a sense of companionship even when they were alone.

It also smashed through every common excuse: bad weather, low motivation, anxiety, boredom, even knee pain. One participant admitted: “I actually tried walking without music a couple of times… I didn’t enjoy it very much. The pain was more noticeable and I certainly decided to go back to the music very quickly.”

This isn’t just for heart patients.

The lead researcher, registered music therapist Imogen Clark, says the findings point to something much bigger: music can turn walking from a dreaded chore into a daily habit you actually look forward to. It works because it speaks to both your body and your emotions at the same time.

You can start today — and it’s ridiculously easy.

Here’s how to do exactly what the study participants did:

1. Open your music app and create a new playlist called “My Walking Joy.”

2. Add songs that make you smile, remind you of happy times, or simply feel good.

3. Mix in a few tracks with a steady rhythm that matches your natural walking pace.

4. Step outside, press play, and walk.

You might be amazed how quickly ten minutes becomes thirty… or even forty-five.

The bottom line?

Music really does help you stick to exercise when nothing else works. It makes you move more, feel better, and actually enjoy the process. For older adults recovering from heart issues — and for anyone who wants to stay active and healthy — it could be the missing piece.

So tonight, do one small thing: build that playlist. Tomorrow morning, put on your shoes, press play, and take that first step.

Your body, your heart, and your future self will thank you.

Because sometimes the most powerful medicine is the one that also makes you smile.

Does Music Really Help You Stick To Exercise When Nothing Else Works? This study just answered with a resounding YES.

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