Throughout this month, I’ve been diving into the effects of music on the brain. It’s fascinating to see how music can motivate and help establish routines for completing tasks. One aspect I’d like to explore is nostalgia. While we all know that certain songs can make us want to let loose and have fun, did you know that, especially for individuals with neurodiverse brains, music can also promote cleaning, focus, and productivity? Research suggests that specific types of music can increase dopamine levels in the brain, enhancing productivity. I see it as a form of Pavlovian conditioning; for example, if you play a particular song only when you’re cleaning, that song can serve as the motivation you need to get up and start cleaning.
Last year, my husband and I initiated a special tradition in our family. Every day at 6 o’clock, we switch off all electronic devices and start playing music on the record player. For the next hour, we all work together as a family to clean and cook dinner. It has been incredible to see the kids willingly get up and help without any fighting or complaining (most of the time). I hope that this tradition and the nostalgia of the record player will continue through their childhood and into their own families. I like to think that the sound of the record player will evoke happy memories of us working together. Sometimes on Saturday mornings, I play the record and my kids ask if it’s time to clean. It makes me laugh!
I would love to hear about the traditions in your family, and which music brings you back and helps you stay productive. I believe using music as a productivity tool opens up possibilities for the future.