Have you ever felt a shift in your mood and energy when listening to your favorite song? I know I have and that's because music is more than just a source of entertainment. It's also a tool that people turn to fulfill routines such as workouts, workdays, or even to cope with challenging moments. Try a free trial of Amazon Music Unlimited and access ad-free tracks, curated mood playlists, and exclusive audio content.
Keep reading to learn why music tends to motivate us and what you can do to build a playlist to kickstart your days with plenty of enthusiasm.
Why does music motivate us?
A person's brain chemistry changes when they listen to music because it triggers the release of a feel-good chemical called Dopamine, which is responsible for boosting a person's mood. It's no surprise that people feel happier and more motivated to have a headset during their exercise routines or while cleaning around the house, as music can stimulate the energy needed to carry out tasks, especially when you're listening to a track with a strong beat.
Music also can awaken our drive. There are certain songs that take us back to past achievements, and relistening to these tracks can ignite the motivation to pursue goals you've been wanting to achieve, or those opportunities that are knocking on your door.
Music Complements Your Goals
Putting together a playlist is not a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. We all have our unique goals and are walking different journeys, which is why playlists can vary from person to person. So, to compile something that meets your needs, you can look at the following types of music to determine what works for you:
Workout Music
Every gym rat knows that a successful workout usually involves a set of headphones and a groovy playlist to keep you pumped. And if getting the heart pumping is what you're aiming for, then electronic dance music (EDM) may be the ideal genre to select to elevate your heart rate.
Focus/Study Music
Study sessions should be free of interruptions, especially if you're trying to prioritize staying entirely concentrated. Instrumental tracks, lo-fi beats, and classical music are all great choices to reduce distractions and secure a peaceful and focused environment.
Lyrics with Inspiring Messages
We all need a pep talk from time to time or even inspiring rhymes to fire us up and keep us going. Music with inspiring messages never fails to lift your spirits. Songs like "Stronger" by Kanye West or "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey are the perfect tracks to keep you in the light and vibrating at a high frequency.
Shaping Your Mindset with Music
Listening to the right music can completely transform your mindset and strengthen your self-belief. The human experience can be challenging to endure from time to time and could impact how we feel both physically and mentally. Songs with themes on overcoming struggle, how to pick yourself back up after a hard time, or ambition can change the way you feel about yourself. Songs like “Unstoppable” by Sia or “Lose Yourself” by Eminem are just a few songs that can alter your mind and boost your self-confidence.
Music Forms Positive Habits
If you want to build habitual energy, you have to stay consistent. Our brains can already adapt to new habits, but we must expose them to repetitive behavior to achieve the intended objective. Pairing your favorite music with routines such as a morning jog not only builds consistency but ensures you stay on track and focused. Using the same playlist for tasks you’re not a big fan of but have to take care of anyway is a great way to ensure you’re not leaving these behind and taking care of business at all times.
How Music Affects Group Motivation
If you notice the people around you, whether those are individuals at your workplace or the groups formed in sports teams, you’ll see that there’s something similar connecting everyone as they perform— that’s music. Music brings people together to create unity and effort. That’s why you see so many coaches playing it while their teams perform to ensure everyone’s trying their best. The same goes for the workplace. Playing music while working can boost morale, cohesion, and help you perform to your full potential.
Technology and Motivation Playlists
As technology introduces us to innovations, we discover how much it eases our lives and facilitates our routines. Did you know that many streaming platforms generate a playlist based on your activity? It’s true! If you’re having trouble putting together an upbeat playlist for your exercises or therapeutic tunes for your yoga sessions, AI can step in and aid. Some of the top platforms include Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music, so you can have a selection and choose based on your preference.
Concluding Remarks
There’s no doubt that music not only entertains us but also serves as a dominant and beneficial tool in our lives. And you can always count on it to push you through life's challenges! Ready to build your motivational soundtrack?
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Contributing Editor | Erika L Rivera