How to Use Music to Improve Productivity
It's easier than you think!
How often do you listen to music?
According to Nielsen Music’s annual report, the average American spends 4.5 hours a day consuming music. Like most others, I’m sure you listen to your favorite songs while performing mundane tasks like cooking, working out, or studying, but did you know that music may actually help improve productivity?
In an article published in the International Journal of Psychological Studies, researchers have found that not only does listening to music help increase productivity but the mood of the music can play a factor as well.
How it Works
The experiment gathered a group of people who were given an argumentative essay to write while listening to sad and happy music. Each participant was given until the end of the song to finish their essay.
Results
Research showed that those listening to sad music produced a higher word count (72 words) than those listening to happy music (56 words).
What Does This Mean?
Scientists suggest that sad music encourages you to focus more on your work to distract from the negative emotions associated with the tunes. These results can be used to implement healthier study and work habits that will increase productivity and focus. Though it is far from a be-all-and-end-all hack to staying productive, it is still a great tool to have on your belt.
