When you need to be creative and get things done at work, the ideal state of mind for harnessing the full power of your ADHD brain is a “stream of consciousness” state known as the flow state.
Flow is a technical term from psychology for an optimal state of consciousness where you feel your best and perform your best.
It is the ultimate performance enhancer and it’s a great way to focus your mind if you have ADHD.
The problem is that for many of us, flow is an elusive state. That’s because the allure of multitasking and distraction is so difficult to resist in our hyperconnected age.
Since flow follows focus, you need to set clear goals and eliminate all distractions so you can spend long periods of time working on a single task. To get into this mental zone necessary for sustained concentration, I find that listening to instrumental music using headphones is very effective.
Music is a powerful flow enhancer because it lights up both hemispheres of your brain and releases a constant stream of dopamine, which is important if you have ADHD because a boost of dopamine will increase your ability to focus and make what you are doing feel more enjoyable.
The best kind of flow music for most adults with ADHD is lyric-free instrumental music with a consistent beat. The main reason instrumental music is so effective is that it engages the emotional centers of your brain, while songs with lyrics also activate the verbal reasoning areas of your brain, which can interfere with your focus.
My 10 Best Instrumental Albums For Getting Into Flow
When I need to relax the chattering of my ADHD mind and get into a “stream of consciousness” flow state for doing inspired work, these are my go-to instrumental albums.
1. Lindsey Stirling – Lindsey Stirling
Dubstep violinist Lindsey Stirling is a YouTube sensation with 1.2 billion+ views. She skipped the typical record label route and built her loyal following online by making amazing videos.
Her entire self-titled album is phenomenal but the classical dubstep violin song “Crystalize” is my favorite track for getting pumped up.
Listen to more instrumental music from Lindsey Sterling on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or her Website.
2. Brian Eno – Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks
The master of ambient sounds, Brian Eno crafts sonic soundscapes that are ideal for immersing yourself in reading and studying.
In particular, I find that “An Ending (Ascent)” has the peaceful beauty of a religious hymn and it inspires me every time I listen to it.
Listen to more instrumental music from Brian Eno on Spotify, iTunes or his Website.
3. Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells
This classic album has sold over 20 million copies since it was released in 1973. Tubular Bells also has the distinction of being the first release from Sir Richard Branson’s startup at the time, Virgin Records.
When I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll listen to a session of Tubular Bells to reignite my creative spark.
Listen to more instrumental music from Mike Oldfield on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or his Website.
4. Hans Zimmer – The Inception Soundtrack
Hans Zimmer is my favorite Hollywood musical composer. He has crafted brilliant soundtracks for epic films such as Inception, Gladiator, The Pirates of the Caribbean, The Lion King and Interstellar.
I find the slow build and epic finale of the song “Time” from Inception to be one of his greatest sonic masterpieces.
Listen to more instrumental music from Hans Zimmer on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or his Website.
5. Robert Miles – Dreamland
I first heard the Robert Miles song “Children” while driving home in a friend’s car from a rave when I was a teenager and I felt like it put me into a hypnotic flow state.
Ever since then, I’ve listened to this hypnotically beautiful song when I want to relax and clear my mind. I find his whole Dreamland album is one of the best instrumental albums for getting in a creative state of mind.
Listen to more instrumental music from Robert Miles on Spotify, iTunes or his YouTube.
6. Tycho – Awake
Tycho seamlessly blends ambient, electronica and post-rock melodies into hypnotic soundscapes that I find are great for helping me get into the zone when I’m working.
The title track from his most recent album is a stroke of mellow genius.
Listen to more instrumental music from Tycho on Spotify, iTunes – YouTube or his Website.
7. Booker T. & The M.G.s – Green Onions
This instrumental album is full of guitar classics that mix R&B, soul, rock and funk. Booker T. Jones’ tuneful organ playing provides the background for each track and the guitar riffs on this album are simply legendary.
The groovy organ of the title track “Green Onions” has made it one of the most memorable rock instrumentals of all time.
Listen to more instrumental music from Booker T. & The M.G.s on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or their Website.
8. Afro Celt Sound System – Volume 1: Sound Magic
Afro Celt Sound System fuses modern dance rhythms with traditional Celtic and African music.
“Dark Moon, High Tide” is one of my favorite songs. It’s a hauntingly beautiful fusion of Celtic bagpipes, flutes, guitar and percussion rhythms from Africa.
Listen to more instrumental music from Afro Celt Sound System on: Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or their Website.
9. Explosions in the Sky – The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
Explosions In The Sky are an American post-rock band with narratively styled guitar instrumentals, which they refer to as “cathartic mini-symphonies”.
Their songs usually start out quietly and then slowly build in intensity to soaring climactic crescendos.
Listen to more instrumental music from Explosions in the Sky on: Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or their Website.
10. God Is An Astronaut – A Moment of Stillness
These guys are an Irish post-rock band that brilliantly mixes electronic music and elements of space rock.
If you love guitar-infused sonic landscapes then A Moment of Stillness is sure to blow you away with its sonic guitar wizardry.
Listen to more instrumental music from God Is An Astronaut on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube or their Website.
Instrumental Music Lights Up The ADHD Brain
If you want to learn more about how music can help you get your ADHD brain to focus more consistently then I recommend reading my other post on the best music for improving ADHD.
