|

How Can Music Help Teacher Concentration and Reduce Stress?

Working should be fun. (I have decided to start all the remaining blogs of #29daysofwriting with a controversial statement.). Music is great for your well being, memories, focus, physiological benefits. So as part of your #teacher5aday include some tunes to reduce teacher stress levels!

Using Music to Improve Focus and De-Stress as a Teacher

Teaching is one of the most demanding jobs when it comes to needing strong concentration skills and managing stress. The constant stimulation and multitasking required in the classroom environment can quickly lead to mental fatigue and burnout. That’s why it’s critical for teachers to intentionally carve out moments of calm focus throughout the chaotic school day. One simple but powerful way to do this is through music.

Research shows that music has measurable effects on brain activity and focus. Background music stimulates the release of dopamine which improves motivation and focus. Slow tempo, classical music can induce a state of “mindful concentration” which reduces distractibility. Soft instrumental music played at 50-80 beats per minute creates a steady rhythm that helps synchronize neural oscillations in the brain associated with attention.

In addition to aiding concentration, music is a quick and effective way to relieve stress. Listening to music you enjoy activates the brain’s pleasure and reward centers, reducing the stress hormone cortisol. Uplifting music can also stimulate the production of serotonin, countering negative emotions. Teachers can use short music breaks to restore a sense of calm and optimism when feeling overwhelmed.

Here are some specific ways for teachers to harness the power of music throughout the workday:

  • Play classical or lyric-free music softly during independent student work time. This provides just enough auditory stimulation to improve focus without being distracting.
  • Listen to a 5-10 minute song break during lunch or prep time. Use this to clear your head and prevent burnout.
  • Play a pump-up playlist during gym, playtime or while tidying up the classroom to energise your mood.
  • Use music to set the tone or “soundtrack” for different lessons – like playing Vivaldi during a math test or carnival music during a science fun fair.
  • Make your own concentrate and de-stress playlists to listen to with headphones as desired. Include selections that evoke joy, peace and motivation.
Music can reduce stress

Music to aid concentration & reduce stress

While loud or lyrical music can divert attention, the right kinds of tunes can work magic by both enhancing concentration and reducing anxiety. Amidst the frenzy of teaching, strategic music breaks provide accessible micro-moments of restoration that enable teachers to flourish. The benefits spill over to positively impact students as well!

How Can Music Help Teacher Concentration and Reduce Stress?

The Songs

These are songs that I can work to, not songs I listen to everyday. I am a procrastinator. When I sit down to focus on work I need as few distractions as possible, I need songs I know the lyrics to so I’m not listening too hard (if that makes sense) or preferably songs that don’t have words. These are the core of my work playlist.

This is a great tune to write blogs to, a 1978 Jazz classic, and I am not really a fan of Jazz. This song features heavily in the Harry Bosch series of Novels. Bosch often puts Art Pepper on when he is reviewing a case. At least 10 of these blogs have been written whilst listening to this song.

This piano piece is very relaxing and another excellent track (and the album of the same name) to write to. This got me through my PGCE. Soothing and not distracting.

Generally if I’m working I can’t listen to music with words but I really like the sparse repetitive beat to this song. It is an unrecorded Bob Dylan track resurrected by Marcus Mumford.

Sometimes with music the song is not as important as the emotions, feelings and atmosphere that hearing it recalls. The year was 2001, first year at University, Napster, £1 pints, friendship.

I love the creativity in the Postmodern Jukebox covers. Very easy to listen and type to. I have no idea why he is dressed as a clown.

I love the whole soundtrack of Oh Brother where Art Thou. Perfect for reducing stress.

How Can Music Help Teachers Concentrate and Reduce Stress?

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.