In recent studies, researchers sought to find out that certain types of music in the workplace can help improve cognitive performance. The best part is that you don’t even have to listen to music you particularly enjoy.
We all have our own music tastes. Listening to music that we enjoy can have a significant impact on our mood. Music has the ability to evoke memories, thoughts of music lovers, and even feelings of happiness or sadness. But how does it affect our workplace productivity? Let’s find out.
In this blog, we’ll look at the pros and cons of listening to music in the office, as well as some recommendations for songs and tips for focusing productivity that can help you perform better at work with colleagues.
What is the Meaning of Music in the Workplace?
Music in the workplace refers to incorporating music encompassing genres such as classical, jazz, pop, rock, or electronic within a professional or office setting. It serves various purposes, such as enhancing mood, staying productive, promoting a positive work environment, to balance blood pressure, and contributing to the overall ambiance of the workplace. Music’s specific meaning and impact in the workplace can vary depending on how it is utilized and the goals of the organization or individuals involved. For instance, a coffee shop might play soft acoustic music to create a relaxing music atmosphere. At the same time, a tech startup might use energetic electronic music to stimulate employee creativity and focus.
The Pros of Music in the Workplace
According to a survey conducted in 2016, 79 percent of employees said they would benefit from listening to music at work. In this section, we will look at all of the benefits of listening to music at work.
Productivity
Science and research show that listening to music can make you more productive. Especially when trying to tackle repetitive tasks. There are many distractions in the office. Music can help you tune out this noise and stay focused. According to Dr. Lesuik of the University of Miami, employees who listen to music finish tasks faster and are more creative than those who don’t.
Relaxation
When someone is stressed, they commonly make quick decisions. On the other hand, someone who is more relaxed may need more time to think of a better way to do things. This is how music’s soothing effect can be beneficial. Dopamine is also released when you listen to music you enjoy.
Concentration
Music reduces workplace distractions, which improves concentration. It can help you control your soundscape and indicate to colleagues that you’re busy. Improved concentration can help you replace external distractions with a song you enjoy when doing simple or more complex work.
Control emotion
Our emotions can also influence how we perform at work. If you are depressed or stressed, this can have a negative impact on your productivity. Music in the workplace can be motivating. Music promotes positive thinking and increases motivation. This is especially important in public places where acting out frustrations may be inappropriate.
If the office is quiet or you’re working alone, music can provide a sense of company and better workplace culture.
Manages internal disruptions
Phone calls and loud conversations aren’t the only external distractions that can cause you to lose focus. Many of us are guilty of the occasional daydream or good look out the window. Music provides a distraction. So you don’t get distracted by other things that can cause you to lose your flow.
The Cons of Music in the Workplace
While there are many pros of music in the office, there are also certain cons that should be considered.
The wrong music can be distracting
Depending on the listener, certain types of music can be distracting. Inspiring music may induce daydreaming. Alternatively, romantic music may cause people to concentrate on their memories rather than their work. These distractions may be less severe than those caused by a noisy workplace. However, listening to the right music can help boost productivity and concentration even more.
The mind can be overwhelmed
The forced abstract thinking caused by music enhances the creative centers. However, this can also indicate that the mind is overstimulated.
Some types of information must be absorbed using the traditional method of comprehension. It can be difficult to retain this type of information if you are overstimulated. This means that music may not always be a good thing depending on the task at hand.
Music has the power to make the mind forget
Another disadvantage of music in the workplace is that it can sometimes make the mind forgetful. Listening to music while working may cause you to lose track of where you are in a project, or to finish a task without remembering what you did. This makes quality control more difficult, because you may forget what you wrote down or how you completed a given task.
Types of Music in the Workplace
If you’re looking for music in the office that can boost your or a team’s productivity and concentration, here are some suggestions for a list of music genres that could help.
- Soundtracks – Film, television, and video game soundtracks are designed to keep your attention on what you watch or play. This also applies to your work.
- Neo-Classical – This modern stream of classical music could be extremely relaxing. It can be helpful in the treatment of stress and increasing productivity.
- Music Without Words – Music with words can be both consciously and subconsciously distracting. Music without words, such as ambient or natural sounds, exists to free up mental space for other activities.
Tips for Optimizing Music for Productivity
Music can be a powerful feature to boost productivity for more accurate work or during focused study sessions. On the other hand, inappropriate choices or excessive sound can become distractions. Here are some valuable tips to optimize music selection and usage to enhance productivity. These strategies help create a harmonious work environment and maximize your time and energy.
Select the Right Genre:
Choose instrumental, classical, or ambient music, as they tend to be less distracting and conducive to concentration. Avoid songs with lyrics that might divert your focus.
Control the Volume:
Keep the volume at a moderate level. It should provide a pleasant background without being too loud and distracting.
Curate a Productive Playlist:
Create playlists or loops with music that aligns with the duration of your work sessions. It prevents interruptions from changing tracks.
Match Music to Task:
Select music that complements the nature of your work. Energetic tunes can boost motivation for repetitive tasks, while soothing melodies may enhance creativity or analytical work.
Scheduled Music Breaks:
Use music breaks strategically. Short breaks with favorite tunes can refresh mentally, but remember to stretch and refocus afterward.
Respect Your Environment:
If you share your workspace with others, wear headphones or keep the volume low at a level that doesn’t disturb other employees and employee health.
Silent Intervals:
Acknowledge when complete silence is necessary for deep concentration. Feel free to turn off the music when required.
Use Background Noise:
If playing music proves too distracting, consider using ambient background music noise apps or websites that simulate sounds like rainfall, ocean waves, or white noise or wearing headphones. Loud music like upbeat music, dance music should be avoided in the office.
By following these tips, you can harness the positive effects of listening to music to boost your productivity while working, tailored to your individual preferences and tasks.
Conclusion
The pros and cons of music in the workplace show that listening to the right music at the right volume can be beneficial in work like computer programming, research, data entry, etc. However, playing the wrong music or playing it too loudly can have the opposite effect. That is why it is important to consider these key points before starting a playlist to get you through the day.
QuestionPro can enhance the working environment by facilitating a deeper understanding of how music impacts employees. You can identify music preferences, volume levels, and genre choices through employee surveys, allowing you to curate playlists that cater to their tastes. By continuously seeking feedback and analyzing data with QuestionPro, you can balance creating a pleasant atmosphere and avoiding distractions. This data-driven approach ensures that music contributes positively to the workplace, fostering a more engaging and productive environment.
That’s all there is to know about music in the office. It also highlights the necessity of having the right work environment in order to enhance your benefits for your business. If you believe your workplace could benefit from a little something, get in touch with questionPro and create your free workforce account today!
