How Productivity Music Enhances Focus
Music has the power to move us, but many
people underestimate how it affects us in the workplace. Can you really hear
“Let it go” without wanting to stand on your chair and belt out the lyrics for
the entire office to hear?
The beat pumping out of our speakers doesn’t
just affect how we feel. It also impacts the way we work. The question is, does
music make you more productive and efficient?
In this article, I’ll look at how music
affects our work. Together we’ll discover how we can harness the power of music
to boost our productivity, with productivity music recommendations.
A.
How music impacts your productivity
Different genres of music have varying
effects on our brains. What boosts productivity for one person may be
distracting for others, but there are some general principles to help you
select the best productivity playlist:
What
you’re doing matters
When you’re writing or doing a language-heavy
job, songs with lyrics are distracting. Music with lyrics kick your brain into
multitasking mode. It’s essentially like someone talking over you while you’re
working.
For writing and reading new information, opt
for instrumental-only music.
That doesn’t mean you have to write off music
with lyrics altogether though. Save those songs for times when you are stuck
doing a repetitive task like filing papers or clearing your inbox.
Your
music taste matters… sort of
Another important consideration is how much
you like what you hear. A 1994 research study in the Journal of the
American Medical Association found that surgeons listening to music
worked more effectively than those who worked without it. This was true
regardless of whether the surgeons picked the music or if the researcher selected
it for them.
Hearing a song you love can definitely
provide some motivation—especially if you’re bored or don’t enjoy the task
you’re doing. Hearing music you like improves your mood, which can boost your
productivity.
B.
5 rules for the perfect productivity playlist
1. Embrace
the sounds of nature
When you think of listening to rain fall or
birds chirp, you might immediately imagine an afternoon at the spa. This
relaxing music can put us in a better mood, which can definitely improve our efficiency
at work.
It’s not just that the sounds of nature make
us feel better. They also affect the brain in the best way possible for
improving cognitive function. Since natural sounds often have an element of
randomness, they can help improve our focus without becoming a distraction.
Sounds related to water appear to be the most effective.
A 2015 study in the The Journal of
the Acoustical Society of America found that natural sounds are an
excellent way to mask the background din of the open office plan.
2.
Get motivated (and drop the bass)
Sometimes you need to feel empowered at work.
Music allows us to tap into your inner strength. The Kellogg School of
Management at Northwestern University recognized the clear connection between
music and motivation. They conducted a study which asked participants to rate
songs according to how they made people feel while they were performing
different tasks.
The takeaway: songs such as 50 Cent’s “In Da Club,” “Get Ready for this” by 2 Unlimited,
and “We Will Rock You”
by Queen were clear winners when it came to motivating participants. Though
these songs all come from different genres, they all have a pumping bass that
leaves the listener feeling energized.
Study participants completed their tasks with
greater efficiency and used more confident and empowered language when compared
to a group listening to less intense music.
3. Turn
up your favorite song
While music generally makes people feel
better, being able to listen to music you like creates a marked productivity
boost.
This is what Dr. Teresa Lesiuk, a professor
at University of Miami, found when conducting research on the connection
between music and productivity. Since songs tend to relax listeners, they often
afford them the chance to explore solutions they may not have considered when
in a hyper-stressed state.
4.
Play at your speed
There’s a reason why we tend to run faster
and perform better at the gym when we’re listening to fast music. Even if
you’re not actively listening to a song, the tempo can impact your work speed
at the office as well.
According to a study from BMS College of
Engineering in Malaysia, when looking for a stress-relieving song, choose
something with about 60 beats per minute. The tempo is
slightly slower than the resting human heart rate. This larghetto beat,
neither too fast or too slow, is enough to produce a calmer state without
making you want to fall asleep.
Perhaps you need to feel energized. If that’s
the case, you need an uptempo playlist. A 2007 research study found that people
do a better job with cognitive tasks when they’re listening to songs with a quick
tempo. If you’re not sure where to look, Baroque music is a safe bet.
If you’re looking for a more customizable
experience, check out Focus @ Will.
They have some great playlists for concentration, and they’ll tailor your
playlist to fit your needs.
5.
Make sure the music is not too loud
It can be tempting to crank up the tunes that
inspire us the most, but excessive volume is distracting. A 2012 article in
the Journal of Consumer Research discusses the connection
between volume and productivity.
Music played at a reasonable volume
encourages creativity and abstract thinking. Turn it up too loud though and you
won’t be able to hear yourself thing. Anything louder than 85 decibels, the
approximate volume of a snowblower, is too loud. On the other hand, your
volume should be loud enough to mask the sounds of office chatter.
C.
Recommended productivity music playlists
1.
Productivity music playlist from Evan Carmichael
Evan Carmichael, best known for his
motivational YouTube videos, has put together a 2-hour playlist to help you
focus. Full of electronic uptempo instrumental music, this playlist paves the
way to getting more done in less time.
2.
Upbeat instrumental work music by Live Better Media
If you aren’t a fan of electronica, you might
enjoy this playlist of positive uptempo songs. There are over two hours of
music to get your mind working and put a smile on your face.
3.
Music to increase work productivity: The Pulse
This playlist sounds a lot like video game
music, and it does a great job of waking up your brain without distracting you.
4.
8 Hours of productivity music with binaural beats by Greenred Productions
Turn this on in the morning and you’ll be set
for the entire day. This music has an ethereal quality that will leave you
feeling relaxed and help you find your flow state.
5.
The Most Productive Playlist Ever – Songs For Work on Spotify
If you’re in the mood for some popular music
that will motivate you to reach new heights, this one’s for you. Some of these
lyrics are NSFW though, so make sure you’re listening to this through
headphones.
6.
Productive Morning on Spotify
When “The Most Productive Playlist Ever”
seems a bit too intense, try “Productive Morning.” It includes songs from well-known
artists, but these are mostly instrumental.
D.
Embrace the power of sound
There’s nothing saying you have to work in
grave silence all day.
To get the biggest productivity boost from
your playlist, be mindful of the volume and tempo. If you’re writing, stick to
the instrumentals so that your brain doesn’t try to decipher lyrics while
trying to think up sentences for you. Be mindful of your own energy level when
you’re choosing music.
Most importantly, play what you like. There’s
plenty of science supporting the positive effects music can have on listeners.
It’s up to you to find your personal soundtrack for a focused and productive
work day. Happy listening!
Leon Ho
https://www.lifehack.org/256537/neuroscience-proves-that-listening-music-work-can-enhance-focus-and-productivity
No comments:
Post a Comment