Music Boosts Productivity

Introduction

If you listen to music during your workday, you're in good company. A Cloudcover Media survey reveals that 81% of people listen to music daily, and 78% believe it makes them more productive.

Research from Keele University, presented to the British Psychological Society, shows that employees listening to music at work experience positive effects across the board—from motivation and concentration to reduced feelings of effort and fatigue.

Music enhances productivity by activating the brain's reward centers, particularly when experiencing a new musical change or a radio jingle before a track, according to a study published in PNAS by McGill University.

Rhythm and Beat

Productivity can increase with music featuring faster tempos and consistent beats. We tend to physically synchronize with music, so upbeat songs with catchy rhythms can further boost work performance. Studies led by Costas Karageorghis at Brunel University support this observation.

Consistent musical rhythm proves more beneficial for productivity compared to music with variable tempo. A study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information discovered that more variable sounds are more distracting. This applies not only to surrounding conversations but also to the music you work with. Choosing a steady rhythm helps increase productivity and minimize distractions.

The music's tone also matters. Research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science found that when people experienced music with more bass, they felt increased levels of power and control—both of which influence feelings of capability and effectiveness, ultimately driving productivity.

Choose More Music, Fewer Words

A study in Applied Acoustics revealed that when you understand about 20% of spoken words, performance can decline, and comprehension between 30%-50% leads to even more significant degradation. This applies to office conversations and to words in songs, jingles, and audio communications.

Select Music That Connects

Music can also help build connections by evoking shared experiences. Perhaps you and your colleagues are in similar life stages, reminiscing about a popular song from high school. Even without identical memories, sharing the significance of a life period can energize relationships.

Music can create shared memories too. Maybe you listened to a specific playlist while your team volunteered in a community garden, or you played a band's music during long commutes to a crucial client meeting. Such shared listening experiences can remind you of shared bonds and experiences, benefiting workplace relationships.

Bottom Line: Leverage music as a tool for connecting with colleagues.

Originally published in Forbes USA.