Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Music isn't just a means of entertainment and expression: it can also stimulate creativity and help you become more productive. Listening to music can also have a therapeutic effect, relieving feelings of stress so you can concentrate better.
Research shows that listening to certain types of music while working can be beneficial. Some types of music help with learning and improve the ability to process information, while others help block out distracting background noise. So if you're struggling with productivity and want to know what to listen to, here are seven types of music and playlists to help you focus.
Related: 12 Ways Millionaires Manage Their Time for Maximum Productivity
1. Classical music
Researchers have long claimed that listening to classical music can help people complete tasks more efficiently. This theory, called the “Mozart effect,” suggests that listening to classical composers can increase brain activity and act as a catalyst for improving health and well-being. Various studies have confirmed that listening to classical music increases the ability to manipulate shapes and solve spatial puzzles.
The lack of words in music can be a factor, as songs with lyrics have proven distracting when trying to concentrate. Classical music is also considered calming and relaxing. Some selections, such as Beethoven's “Für Elise,” appear to help students learn longer and retain more information. Here are some more classic options to increase productivity while working:
2. Nature music
Listening to the sounds of nature, such as the sound of waves or the bubbling of a stream, has been shown to increase cognitive function and concentration. Nature sounds work best when they are calming sounds like running water or rain, while more disturbing sounds like bird songs and animal noises can be distracting.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have found that natural sounds improve mood and concentration. The study found that employees were more productive and had more positive feelings when nature sounds played in the background while working. This may be because nature sounds have helped to eliminate harsher, more distracting sounds, such as: B. to cover up people talking or typing. Researchers also found that not only did workers perform better at tasks, but soothing nature sounds also improved overall brain function. Here are some choices to try:
3. Film music
Intense film music can make you feel like you're doing something inspiring or important, even if you're just checking off your to-do list. A grand, epic soundtrack in the background can make even the most mundane tasks feel like you're changing the world, increasing your concentration and productivity.
Film music can be empowering, lifting your spirits and brightening your mood. So when you feel tired and drained, listen to epic movie music to further boost your motivation. Some great film scores to try include:
Related: 3 Reasons You Should Listen to Music at Work
4. Video game music
It may seem strange, but listening to music composed for video games can help you concentrate better. Every element of a video game is designed to create an enhanced gaming experience, and the music is specifically composed to help you focus on your task without being distracted by a cacophony of noise.
This music generally has no lyrics or human voices and is quite fast to move you along. Many of these video games involve solving puzzles and dealing with intense situations, putting you through simulated stress challenges. Video games have invested a lot of resources into finding the perfect soundtrack to keep a player focused and motivated. .
Video game music is composed to captivate you as you evaluate, navigate, and often fight your way through these make-believe worlds. These musical compositions could be just the thing to push you forward and help you complete your tasks and your daily to-do list. Here is a selection of video game music to listen to:
5. Music between 50 and 80 beats per minute
Some research suggests that it's not the type of music that's crucial to staying focused and productive, but rather the tempo of that music. Studies have shown that music at 50 to 80 beats per minute can promote and stimulate creativity and learning. Dr. Emma Gray, a cognitive behavioral therapist, worked with Spotify to research the benefits of certain types of music. She found that listening to music in the 50 to 80 beat range puts the brain in an “alpha state.”
What is an Alpha State? If you have ever listened to music that you are familiar with and then found yourself deep in thought and didn't hear the music at all, this is a music-induced alpha state. They turn off while you're on.
It works best if you find songs you are familiar with that are set to 50 to 80 beats per minute. To do this, use a guide to count the number of “beats” in the first 15 seconds of a song and then multiply that number by four. Here's a playlist of songs from this range, including these popular tunes:
Related: 12 Ways Music Makes You More Productive at Work (Infographic)
6. Your favorite music
When it comes to tackling projects that you're not really excited about, putting on music that you enjoy can help. Studies have shown that putting on your favorite music can improve your mood and productivity.
Teresa Lesiuk, an assistant professor in the University of Miami's music therapy program, found that personal choice of music is important when deciding what to listen to while working, especially for those who are moderately skilled in their profession. Their research found that participants who listened to music they liked completed their tasks faster and came up with better ideas than those who didn't because the music helped them feel better and improved their mood.
The only time this wasn't true was when the music participants were listening to was distracting, such as a beat that was too fast or music with lyrics that caught their attention. So next time you need to complete a mountain of paperwork or concentrate on a task, just turn on your favorite music.
7. Focus playlists
If you're looking for something a little different, there are tons of playlists on YouTube and Spotify specifically curated for concentration. No matter what type of work you do—writing, reading, studying, filling out spreadsheets, or something else—one of these playlists is right for you.
Youtube
Spotify
Create your very own Auto Publish News/Blog Site and Earn Passive Income in Just 4 Easy Steps
