57. Stop the Morning Madness: How Music Can Transform Your Family's Morning Routine
Mornings with kids? Pure chaos. But what if I told you that turning up the right tunes could help you swap that chaos for calm? Seriously!
In the latest episode of the Chill Like a Mother podcast, I chatted with music therapist Jennifer Buchanan about how music can totally transform your mornings. We’re talking real strategies for creating a chill vibe at home, especially if your mornings feel like a circus. Spoiler alert: It’s all about the sound!
We dive into why music matters for your morning routine and how the right tunes can help calm the chaos and boost everyone’s mood.
Jennifer shares solid tips for picking the right music, automating your playlists, and making mornings a little less wild.
Let’s face it: mornings can be a hot mess.
You’re scrambling to find socks, pouring cereal like it’s a race, and dodging toddler tantrums. But there’s a simple way to ease that chaos: music!
Jennifer says it’s not just about playing random songs; it’s about being intentional. Picking slow-tempo, unfamiliar tunes can help activate that calming response we all need. Research backs this up: music can help reduce stress and improve focus, which is gold for families—especially for neurodiverse ones like mine. After ten years of navigating the morning hustle as a neurospicy parent, I can tell you that music has been a lifesaver for me.
Key takeaways:
Create a Calm Environment: Music can help set a chill tone and create family memories.
Ditch the Lyrics: Instrumental music lowers the cognitive load, so everyone can relax.
Automate It: Let technology handle the music so you can focus on breakfast instead.
How-To: Create Your Morning Soundtrack
Create Your Morning Playlist: Spend a few minutes exploring different slow-tempo, instrumental genres. Think ambient sounds or classical—anything that feels peaceful. You might just discover your new morning jam!
Automate the Magic: Set your playlist to start playing automatically at wake-up time. Use apps that allow you to schedule playlists, so the perfect tunes greet you when it’s time to rise and shine. Less scrambling, more chilling!
How-To: Maintain a Calming Atmosphere
Gradual Tempo Change: Kick things off with a slow tempo (around 40 BPM) to ease everyone into the day. As the family gets moving, gradually increase to about 60 BPM. This mirrors how our bodies wake up, making it smoother for everyone.
Create a Memory Bank: Use the same tunes consistently in the mornings. Over time, your kids will associate those songs with cozy family vibes, creating nostalgia that’ll stick with them for years.
Integrating music into your morning routine is a game changer. Instead of starting the day in chaos, you can create a calming atmosphere that helps everyone ease into the day.
Jennifer’s insights remind us that music isn’t just background noise; it’s a powerful tool for emotional support and connection.
So next time you’re wrestling with the morning madness, crank up some intentional tunes and let the music work its magic. Let’s face it: we all deserve a little chill in our hectic lives.
Tune in to the full episode to hear more from Jennifer on how music can transform your morning, and let’s make those mornings a bit less crazy, one song at a time!
About the Chill Like a Mother Guests:
Jennifer's journey into music therapy began as a teen when she sang to her stroke-stricken Grandad, witnessing music's profound ability to create connection.
Her love for speaking also started young, winning a school contest and realizing the power of a message to inspire change. A visit from John Denver further fueled her passion, showing her how music and imagery can create unforgettable moments. Now, as a music therapist and speaker, Jennifer combines these elements to help others heal and connect through the power of music.
Keynote Speaker
Best-Selling Author
Certified Music Therapist
Mama, you might find these interesting:
Download this free guide: 101 Ways to Be Chill Like a Mother
Follow Kayla on her Instagram account @kayla.huszar
Click here, I'd love it if you could do a solid and leave a review under the Ratings and Reviews section. A 5-star rating would be amazing, and if you're feeling wordy, let me know what you love about the show! Your support means everything to me, thank you so much!
Disclaimer: This site contains some affiliate links. I get a little moola in exchange for creating this content and you get cool book and product recommendations at no extra cost to you!
This information is for educational purposes only. Kayla cannot provide personalized advice or recommendations for your unique situation or circumstances. Therefore, nothing on this page or website should replace therapeutic recommendations or personalized advice. If you require such services, please consult with a medical or therapeutic provider to determine what's best for you. Kayla cannot be held responsible for your use of this website or its contents. Please never disregard or delay seeking medical or therapeutic treatment because of something you read or accessed through this website.
© 2024 Kayla Huszar - All Rights Reserved.
