A Look at How Music Can Improve Productivity

Music is a important part of virtually every human culture. In this time of music streaming services, music has also become a typical work accessory. According to a 2019 survey of 2,000 Britons, half usually work with music playing, with two out of five saying that it helps keep them productive.

Much research has been conducted into how music can promote productivity, with findings indicating that it boosts productivity and cognitive performance, especially among adults.

Music has been shown to help people manage anxiety and improve their mood, including while at work. It’s no surprise that headphones are considered work accessories, and productivity playlists are among the most popular on various streaming platforms. Some receive millions of views on YouTube. Not only that, but many businesses are incorporating music into their workplaces.

Research shows that individuals in a good mood are far more productive than those in negative moods. According to a study published in Trends in Cognitive Science, music is a significant mood booster, even more so than anti-anxiety medicines.

Study participants who listened to music before surgery had much lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol than subjects who were given anti-anxiety medication. Music is beneficial for reducing tension and anxiety, resulting in enhanced emotions and increased productivity during work periods.

Also, researchers have determined that dynamic and engaging music, particularly songs with 60 to 80 beats per minute, is excellent at concurrently stimulating various areas of the brain. In 2017, the scientific journal PLOS One published a study on music and creativity. Researchers discovered that upbeat classical music efficiently enhanced participants’ creative and divergent thinking.

Further research has shown that music eases boredom induced by doing repetitive tasks, thus allowing for better workflow. In a study by the JAMA Network, it was discovered that surgeons performed their assigned repetitive tasks better when they listened to music. The researchers concluded that music eased the surgeon’s boredom, enhancing their performance.

In his book This Is Your Brain on Music, neuroscientist Daniel Levitin confirmed the study results. He asserted that repetitive tasks were more enjoyable with music, thus allowing people to better concentrate on what they were doing.

Also, researchers have discovered that the impact of music on productivity varies. Studies on the effects of background music in the workplace found that instrumental music boosted workers’ productivity more than songs with lyrics. Music with lyrics often resulted in a decline in productivity, as workers became distracted.

Music has also been found to improve concentration when listened to between tasks. A study published in the journal Psychology of Music discovered that when students listened to music between a task it resulted in improved focus and overall improvement in their academic performance.

In addition, researchers found that music strengthens memory. Studies discovered that listening to music activates the brain’s memory centers, such as the lowest parts of the frontal lobe and hippocampus. It also simultaneously stimulates both the left and right hemispheres of the brain, which optimizes the brain’s information retention and memory capacity.

Numerous studies have shown music to increase productivity and attentiveness, regardless of the activity. As mentioned above, streaming providers offer playlists focused on increasing efficiency depending on a listener’s preferences. They can now easily determine what works best for them and start improving their work pace.