Fuel Your Mind: The Benefits of Power Playlists for Educators

These obviously come in many flavors for many needs, but overall they have some common characteristics. Music saves me on the daily and is something easy to feel in the body. Self-awareness first motto! See it, feel it, hear it, smell it, taste it.

Ever notice how a certain song can instantly boost your mood or help you focus? Music has a powerful impact on the brain and aids in managing stress, staying motivated, and enhancing productivity. I remember when I first came onto the Lofi scene. Wow...such a game-changer for me and my students. I even used it this year in my 1:1 mentoring sessions.

The Brain Science Behind The Music

When we listen to music, several areas of our brains light up. Most importantly, those involved in motivation, and memory. Here are a few ways it works.:

• Dopamine Release: Uplifting and motivating music triggers the release of the "feel-good" neurotransmitters increasing our motivation to complete tasks.

• Stress Reduction: Calming music can lower cortisol levels, helping to manage stress and anxiety. It's like your brain in the bath 🧠🛁

• Enhanced Focus: Upbeat and rhythmic music activate the brain's reward center enhancing concentration. This is great for the mundane.

Realistic Applications

Incorporating a power playlist into your daily routine is a simple yet effective way to enhance your well-being.

• Morning Energizer Before the Bell Rings: Use an upbeat playlist to shake off the a.m. grogginess and get you excited to engage in the day. Maybe you'll even want to leave it on as students enter the class. For me, it's songs from the top charts or LoFi beats.

• Prep Booster: Put on a playlist with strong beats to make organization or materials prep more enjoyable. Something you can sing along to or hook onto the rhythm.

• Midday Motivation: When the afternoon slump hits, re-focus with a playlist that includes minimal lyric instrumentals with upbeat vibes or repetitive patterns, which can help transition back to learning mode. Again, Lofi is great for this and some of them even have cool video backgrounds that you can use.

• Wind Down Vibe: Once you are alone or the day has ended, put on the playlist with soft, soothing instrumentals. This helps transition out of work mode and reflect on the day. Did I mention LoFi?

Try This Power Recipe

Now Let's Talk Accountability! Blah Blah Blah

⬅️ Now that is some next-level stuff! Building and changing habits is tough and we need not do it alone. The support, commitment, and reinforcement can make all the difference in making sure our habits and routines stick.

The Brain Science Behind Accountability Partners

• sharing goals and progress triggers a dopamine release which encourages repetition of the action

• knowing someone is checking in on you increases the pressure surrounding commitment which makes it easier to stay consistent.

• Habits aren’t just physical actions; they often involve overcoming emotional and mental barriers. An accountability partner provides the support you need to push through tough moments.

Realistic Applications

1. Small-Group Accountability: Create a small group with a few other educators focusing on similar goals, like improving work-life balance or integrating SEL practices into your classroom. Use a shared platform, like a group chat or a Trello board, to track progress and encourage each other

2. Morning Check-Ins: If you’re trying to establish a morning routine, find an accountability partner to check in with each morning. A simple text or voice message confirming you’ve completed your routine can provide the motivation you need to stick with it. This is also great to incorporate with your students. The many platforms in use these days make it pretty easy to do this.

3. Shared Habit Trackers: Use a digital or physical habit tracker that you share with your accountability partner. Seeing both your progress can provide a visual reminder of your commitment and a shared sense of accomplishment. I used this with a group of students this past school year and it was a huge success. Wow..did they keep me in check with my tracker? "Ms. T did you fill out your tracker?", "Ms. T are you doing your habit?". Ms. T, I completed my tracker last night?"

   
   

4. End-of-Day Reflection: Partner with another teacher to do a quick end-of-day reflection, focusing on whether you both stuck to your planned habits or routines. This can be a brief chat after school or even a quick voice message exchange. I find this more helpful than an end-of-the-day "vent" session. It is goal or task-focused.

Pro-Tip

Only pick one habit to change or add at a time, and find a trusted person to be your accountability partner. Set a clear goal or focus, use some type of tracker and post it where it gets a lot of your visual attention, and schedule set check-ins.

And as always...Try journaling, which is a great habit to start with, and Let's Stay Well Together.

Check It Out

Mindfully Yours,

Crystal, @MsTTalks