10 Cooldown Songs To Soothe The Mind
Whether you're running to think or to quiet your mind, our new playlist has you covered.
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
While many discussions about running center on its impact on your body, there’s much to be said for the benefits it provides your mind. While there are numerous benefits available, we’ll focus on runs of two kinds: those you take to clear your mind and those you take to mull your thoughts. Along these lines, we’ve compiled a mix of cooldown tracks to reflect the moods of both outings.
If you’re just looking for a break, you might consider capping a routine with something from the first half of the playlist below. Each conjures a tale—one salacious from Christina Aguilera, one aptly-named from Dire Straits, and one evocative from Pink (as it’s from the soundtrack to the most recent Alice in Wonderland movie). If, on the other hand, you’re in a contemplative mood, consider a tale from the latter half of the mix: an insistent track from Florence + The Machine, a ruminative tune from Coldplay, or a climactic piece from Dave Matthews Band (with uncredited background vocals from Alanis Morrissette). Certainly, there’s a wealth of emotions between the frivolous and the heavy. But if you find yourself teetering one direction or the other as you head out for a run, the songs below may provide a musical conclusion to match your mood.
Christina Aguilera – Candyman – 87 BPM
Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl – 75 BPM
Pink – Just Like Fire – 82 BPM
Dire Straits – Walk of Life – 86 BPM
5 Seconds of Summer – She Looks So Perfect – 80 BPM
Don Henley – The Boys of Summer – 88 BPM
Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over – 75 BPM
Coldplay – Cemeteries of London – 72 BPM
Gibrilville – A Long Way – 80 BPM
Dave Matthews Band – Don’t Drink the Water – 84 BPM
To find more workout songs, folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era—to find the music that best fits their particular workout routine.