Originally published August 18, 2024
We are surrounded by patterns. Everywhere.
Tree rings. Cheetah spots. Spider webs. Brick work. Floor tiles. Heartbeats. Circadian rhythms.
Known and unknown.
People dedicate their entire lives to research; trying to find patterns in pretty much every subject known to man.
And it will forever leave me in awe of how much we have figured out - intentionally or unintentionally.
But also, how much more we have to learn and discover.
The BPM Theory
Have you heard of the ADHD bpm theory? Maybe you've heard it as the 145 or 154 bpm theory?
Good news, they're all the same theory! Coined and brought to the masses by Natana Mayer. She uses design thinking to create theories to support ADHD and neurospicy folks that she tests with her audience.
In this theory, she sought out to test a theory about getting the brain unstuck and able to move forward on a task by listening to music at 154 bpm. You can watch this video if you're curious about the ful explanation of her theory and the research studies she combined to create it.
My first thought when I heard this was, "I've been unknowingly using this trick for YEARS!"
Maybe you have to?
The weekend comes around and it's time to do chores.
Or maybe you need to buckle down and focus on a work or school project that you've been avoiding.
You throw on your headphones or turn the speakers up and jam to a playlist of your favorite EDM, lo-fi, or other music.
If this theory feels like it holds true for you, it becomes an incredible tool in your kit to help you get unstuck and walk away from a day of deep focus and context switching without feeling productive and not at all like a puddle of mush.
Want to try it out for yourself?
Try This:
Create your own LIFT playlist
Having a go-to list for lifting your brain out of stuck mode is an amazing resource to always have close-by. This week, your integration insight is to create OR locate a playlist that can be your go-to LIFT.
