Do you struggle to tackle your to-do list? The procrastination queens out there know what it’s like to feel unmotivated or unfocused, but a trend on TikTok could help. Dopamine menus, or “dopamenus” are a productivity-boosting hack that’s taken off on the platform with more than 54 million views.
Licensed marriage and family therapist Artisa Moten explains that dopamenus are basically personalized lists of activities, tasks or experiences that make you happy. The idea is that you do something off your list, get a dopamine boost, then “ride that wave of happiness” while you do the less exciting things you need to do. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s associated with pleasure, motivation and reward, Moten says, and that’s why you can use it to your advantage to feel happier and more motivated.
Psychotherapist Gary Tucker says dopamenus are perfect for anyone with low energy, a lack of motivation, or symptoms of ADHD, as well as anyone who’s just feeling blah one day. TikTokers commonly use dopamenus to study without feeling distracted, but they can be used anytime you’re struggling to focus or get something done. So the next time you need to do a chore and just can’t get going, try combining the chore with something from your dopamine menu - like treating yourself to an iced coffee while you clean - and let your natural reward system take over.
Source: Bustle
Scott's Thoughts:
- Some positivity to boost productivity? Yes, please!
- This is really not new. Positive thinking as motivation has been preached for years.
- I used to be a procrastinator all the time. I really try hard not to be now. No better time than the present.