Can you hear your own rhythm?

Ray Davise
3 min readJan 15, 2023

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Rhythm is an integral part of music, but it’s also something that we carry with us in our daily lives. We might not think of it as something we can hear, but our bodies are constantly moving to a beat, whether we’re aware of it or not. In this article, we’ll explore the concept of self-generated rhythm and how it affects our daily lives.

First, let’s define what we mean by rhythm. In music, rhythm refers to the pattern of beats in a song. It’s the underlying structure that gives a song its sense of movement and flow. In our daily lives, rhythm refers to the patterns of movement that we create with our bodies. This can include the way we walk, the way we breathe, and even the way we think.

Photo by Steve Harvey on Unsplash

One of the most basic examples of self-generated rhythm is our heartbeat. Our hearts beat at a steady rhythm, and this rhythm is crucial for our survival. But our hearts aren’t the only part of our bodies that have a rhythm. We also have a rhythm in our breathing, our walking, and even our thinking.

For example, when we walk, our feet hit the ground in a steady pattern. This pattern is unique to each individual and can be influenced by factors such as our mood, our level of fitness, and even the surface we’re walking on. Similarly, when we breathe, we inhale and exhale in a steady pattern. And even when we’re sitting still, our minds are constantly moving, jumping from one thought to the next in a pattern that is unique to each individual.

These self-generated rhythms can have a big impact on our overall well-being. For example, when our rhythms are out of sync, it can cause us to feel anxious or stressed. On the other hand, when our rhythms are in sync, we tend to feel more relaxed and at ease. This is why many people find activities like yoga and meditation to be so beneficial. These practices help to bring our body’s rhythms into sync, allowing us to feel more balanced and calm.

But it’s not just our body’s rhythms that affect our overall well-being. Our environment also plays a big role. For example, when we’re exposed to a steady rhythm, such as the sound of waves crashing on the shore, it can help to soothe and calm us. On the other hand, when we’re exposed to a chaotic rhythm, such as the sound of traffic, it can cause us to feel stressed and anxious.

So, can we hear our own rhythm? The answer is yes, and in fact, we can learn to listen to and control our own rhythms. By becoming more aware of the rhythms in our bodies and in our environment, we can learn to use them to our advantage. For example, if we’re feeling stressed, we can try to find a rhythm that helps to soothe and calm us. This could be something as simple as taking a walk in nature or listening to a calming piece of music.

Rhythm is an integral part of our daily lives, and it’s something that we carry with us at all times. Whether it’s the rhythm of our hearts, our breathing, or our thinking, our bodies are constantly moving to a beat. By becoming more aware of our self-generated rhythms and how they’re affected by our environment, we can learn to use them to our advantage and improve our overall well-being.

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