Music and ADHD

We all need to get stuff done and music and ADHD, are two things that go together, like peanut butter and jelly! So why not get stuff done, to some banging tunes. If you’re not a fan of self-care, cooking, exercising, cleaning, boring stuff, or concentrating, then using music as a motivator, might be the solution for YOU. Life is just better when we DO IT to music.

music makes cleaning fun

Calling cleaning ‘fun’ might be a bit of a long-shot here but hey, let’s go with it. Music certainly helps me get through the chores because I’m always tempted to continue the job I’m currently doing because I’ve set up my playlist and want to hear the next song. It’s a great way to get more stuff done around the house.

music helps us cook

I’m not the biggest fan of cooking so putting on my wireless speaker in the kitchen, helps me cook the evening meal. It really only works for me if I just hurry up and set it up, and then push play. If I don’t this, I can’t be bothered and miss the opportunity. If you’re not the budding chef like me, try putting on your fav songs when cooking to see if it makes a difference to your motivation.

Exercising to our fav songs

It doesn’t matter what exercise you do, but doing a little bit every day is good for us, and music helps. I love all genres of music bar Heavy Metal. I have a playlist for walking and re-create new ones regularly. Even though I have 100s of songs at my fingertips, I usually play the same ones over and over again until I’m sick of them or find a new best tune. I slap on the headphones and push play. As soon as I’m exercising, I feel instantly motivated, happy, and kinda free! It’s a great feeling.

music as a distractor

Music is a great way to distract our attention from overthinking EVERYTHING. I find songs with lyrics the best for me because I sing along, rather than slip into some sort of non-productive thought pattern that could bring down my mood. The only thing I struggle with in terms of music, I can get pretty carried away when singing in the car, so need to be super observant because we all know that ADHD and distraction, often go hand in hand. But just because they do, I work on strategies to help me focus more on my driving, and one of those is to turn it down when it gets busy.

music for boring stuff

If a job or chore makes you feel like how this guy looks, music may help. This is highly individualised because we all find different stuff boring and at different levels. For me personally, I can’t stand filing, taxes or sorting out my crap. I’d rather chuck it in a cupboard so I don’t see it but that doesn’t solve the problem (unfortunately).

For ideas on how we can get creative with movement and music, click here.

Find someone who can help get you started with a task. If we have difficulty starting a job, chuck the music on and get someone to help us begin. You might actually be surprised at how much work you can complete.

mood, music and ADHD

Chucking on an uplifting song can change mood dramatically, and fast. If I’m angry or annoyed about something, putting on a cheesy song sometimes helps. If I chucked on a depressing ballad, I know it would pretty much bring me down. Music that’s 80 beats per minute is known to reduce anxiety, because it’s got something to do with the heart rate. I’ve used it with students who were anxious, when I was teaching. It worked pretty well and I got something out of it too. Win, win!

showering to music

When I was house sharing in London, I had a waterproof radio in the shower. There’s nothing more motivating than listening to music when I had to get ready for work. Let’s just say, it made it that little bit easier. Now, I just take the wireless speaker in with me and it makes washing my hair, just that little bit less tedious.

adhd, music and concentration

This is definitely highly individualised. Do what works for you. Classical music can help some with concentration but might drive others around the bend. I have to turn it off to write technical stuff but happy to have motivating music playing when I need it. Using classical music for studying or other similar work, helps me but we’re all different so do what works for you!

Bottom line

If you need motivation to help you get stuff done, use it. It makes ‘work’ so much better and almost bearable. Well, that’s the goal anyway 😉

Cleaning with ADHD

I’ve created these ADHD cleaning visual cue cards to help with the planning and carrying out cleaning tasks around the home that will hopefully make your life easier! No more forgetting those important jobs because you will have the visuals to help you remember what needs to be done. Just print them off, cut them out, and laminate them. Or, send them to a printing company and have it done for you. Use them for yourself, or with your family or housemates.