There are levels to being productive while listening to music. Like Donni said before introducing the jams on her Productivity Playlist, everyone is different. My levels include healthy distractions like dancing and daydreaming. While physical movement (dancing) relieves stress and releases endorphins, daydreaming is like meditation for me. Songs that make me happy bring on the visions of the positive things I want to have and experience–like owning a house with a huge yard in New Orleans, or going to Disney World for the first time. When I think about things like that, I get pumped about checking items off of my to-do list.

During my senior year of college, I’d head to the park in my neighborhood to clear my mind. Y’all don’t even know how Adele’s “21” and Beyonce’s “4” got me through life in 2011! I would walk/run 3-5 times a week listening to those albums–beginning to end. Some songs made me want to dance, and some would put me in my feelings. Either way, I’d zone out and pick up speed.

Back to the subject at hand–a healthy distraction can lead to a serious productivity session. And you know what’s a really good, healthy distraction? A TWERK-OFF!!! Twerking is a workout and working out is productive—so there’s that. On International Day of Happiness (March 20), I read an article on TODAY.com, about people getting together for pre-work dance parties at 7am to release “happy chemicals”. I hope my playlist helps you do the same!

WARNING: Some of my tunes are not for the young ears. Keep that in mind if you’re going to listen with the fam. 🙂

Productivity Playlist #2

1. Countdown by Beyoncé
2. Made Me [Explicit] by Snootie Wild & K CAMP
3. Limit to Your Love by James Blake
4. Lost Queen by Pharrell Williams
5. End of Time by Beyoncé
6. Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) [Explicit] by Rich Homie Quan
7. Count Your Blessings by Nas & Damian Marley
8. Didn’t Cha Know by Erykah Badu
9. Baby Blue by Action Bronson feat. Chance the Rapper
10. Turn Your Lights Down Low by Bob Marley & The Wailers feat. Lauryn Hill

What are you turning up or turning down to while taking care of business? Comment below or tweet @PalmsInATL!