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In today’s fast-paced world, discovering the perfect method to re-energize and maintain focus is essential, whether you’re working from home or in a traditional office. Many resort to coffee, only to face inevitable crashes. As some explore alternatives to stay alert, the challenge lies in finding the right stimulus to combat physical fatigue.
What if the healthy answer is embedded in your playlist, waiting to be unlocked?
The Iso-Principal Technique
One of my favorite techniques in music therapy, recognized by science and widely utilized in the medical field, is the “Iso-Principal.” Chances are, you’ve experienced its effects.
This technique involves matching music with our current mood and gradually altering it to evoke the desired emotional state. Remarkably, this method extends beyond emotions; it can also influence physiological responses.
Consider your morning routine. For many, diving straight into high-energy tracks isn’t the ideal way to start the day. Instead, taking a moment to gradually awaken, grounding yourself and evaluating feelings and daily goals may require a musical track mirroring your specific moment. Research suggests aligning music with our current mood is beneficial, enabling full immersion in the present. This connection can unlock buried emotions, aiding understanding.
Choosing a piece of music that feels right is akin to having a close friend extend a helping hand. It’s a personal, comforting experience, enhancing our sense of security and enabling us to fully engage with the music without limitations. Whether it makes us sing or brings tears to our eyes, all reactions are valid and should be embraced.
Personally, I’ve always found it challenging to wake up without feeling anxious or less than ecstatic. To tackle this, I’ve curated a playlist designed to guide me gently from the groggy state of waking up to the momentum of my morning routine. I kickstart my day with the melodic embrace in the style of “Sunrise Remix Version” by Simply Red. This choice grants my body and mind the time they need to ease into the day.
As the day progresses, I transition to my second stage, aiming to boost my energy gradually, avoiding abrupt spikes. Instead of hastily resorting to caffeine, I allow the music to boost me. Often, the rhythmic beats of songs like “Stomp” by The Brothers Johnson do the trick, infusing me with happiness and maintaining that sense of focus for extended periods.
On days when my mood swings threaten to derail my focus, I turn to a completely different playlist. Pink Floyd’s “High Hopes,” for example, possesses an inexplicable power, swiftly pulling me out of emotional ruts.
For significant events, like important meetings, I listen to a playlist tailored to boost my energy and help me focus. I start listening at least 30 minutes before the meeting, ensuring my energy aligns seamlessly with my objectives. Songs like “Beautiful Day” by U2, “Can You Feel It” by the Jackson Five and “Freedom” by Wham consistently elevate my energy levels. Call me old-fashioned, but these tracks have an undeniable impact.
The profound power of a personal connection with music cannot be overstated. It transcends the impact of generic soundscapes designed with specific frequencies. Your choice of music is a deeply personal and tailored experience. Sometimes, you may even rediscover a long-lost song that perfectly aligns with your mood, providing the necessary motivation or relaxation.
Unlocking the Potential of Music Therapy
This isn’t to discredit the value of various apps and technologies in the market that curate soundscape experiences that feature mostly different unrecognizable sounds, but rather to highlight the untapped potential within us to connect with music that we already know so we can benefit from it. Music therapy is about connecting with our personal jukebox of tracks that can unlock memories, release emotions and alleviate anxiety and unnecessary stress. Craving to listen to a specific song may mean that there is something inside of us that connects with that piece of music that can help us at a moment and time.
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Keeping an open mind, listening to our intuition and putting on a specific song can help us at many levels, beyond helping us to raise our energy level.The reasons behind music’s power over caffeine are diverse and fascinating:
1. Emotional Resonance:Can instantly boost mood and energy levels.
2. Physical Response: Can help release endorphins, providing a natural high.
3. Mind-Body Connection:Engages physical movements, fostering a holistic experience.
4. Cognitive Impact: Can alter cognitive states, reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing focus and alertness.
5. Social and Cultural Context: Music tied to positive memories or cultural experiences can elevate mood and energy.
6. Individual Preferences: Personalized music choices can have a profound impact.
7. No Side Effects: Unlike caffeine, music will (more than likely) not make you crash in the middle of the day.
Take Action: Create Your Soundtrack for Success
The best way to explore the power of music therapy in the workplace is to create a library of songs associated with various moods and times of the day. Identify the songs that match your morning energy, those that can help you recharge after long meetings and tracks that can progressively boost your energy when needed.
Those playlists should be easy to update, allowing you to add new songs as they come to mind at any given time. Then, align your listening schedule with the needs of your week. For example, if you typically reach for coffee at 3 p.m., start listening to your “energizing” playlist at 2 p.m., gradually increasing the tempo as you feel more awake and alert.
This approach is about guiding your body gently toward the energy levels you desire, respecting its unique response to music. It’s also an excellent exercise in understanding how a song influences your feelings and uncovering the “why” behind your musical preferences if you have a curious mind.
Music therapy techniques can pave the way for a remarkable and personalized journey toward heightened energy, focus and overall well-being in the workplace. What if we all swapped our coffee cups for doses of transformative and inspiring music … and see what happens?
