Listening to music is something we love to do at any time of the day like during our daily commute to work or school, during workouts, or playing our favorite lo-fi playlist while studying. It has also been portrayed in several movies or series that experts have specific playlists when performing their skill, such as jazz music for a painter or a classical playlist for a surgeon.
It seems logical to listen to music to be productive, but how come there are times that music seems like a distraction when we're trying to fulfill a task? To maximize productivity, there are a few dos and don'ts of listening to music:
Do: Listen To Music During Workouts
An upbeat tempo when you run, jog, or do reps helps set your pace. Did you know that you can find specific tempo playlists on Spotify? On the other hand, ambient music helps the brain relax when you're stretching or doing yoga.
Don't: Listen To New Music During Work
If your work tasks require concentration, listening to new music is like trying a new workout but for the brain. According to a Johns Hopkins otolaryngologist, music involves structure, math, and architecture. We are not aware of it, but the "brain has to do a lot of computing to make sense of" the relationship between one note to the next.
Do: Listen to Music When Your Work/Study Environment is Noisy
Sometimes we can't do anything about the nearby construction site, loud conversations, or other background noises in our work and study environments so we tune them out. However, picking up these sounds still makes the brain multitask.
Several studies have proven that multitasking is a myth and hinders the brain from efficiently absorbing information. In a recent study, researchers determined that distractions and media multitasking (such as watching Netflix and checking Twitter at the same time) results in memory failure. It also results in delayed reflexes, a tendency to daydream, and shorter attention spans.
Read Also : 5 Ways Art Helps With Mental Health
Don't: Listen To Music When You're Learning, Analyzing, or Deciding
According to Robert Hughes from the University of London, music becomes an auditory distraction when we are learning something new, solving a problem, or making critical decisions. Music becomes distracting background noise during tasks that require our full attention.
For example, solving mathematical problems may require several formulas that you've memorized. Retrieving memories, explained by Professor Anthony Wagner from Stanford University, depends on goal-directed cognition. This means that the brain has to be prepared to remember the intention and focus of retrieving specific memories.
In contrast, when you've already mastered a skill such as painting flowers, baking, or other repetitive tasks, music soothes the brain and helps improve your focus.
Do: Listen to Music To Improve Your Mood
Music is an instant mood uplifter because it triggers the release of dopamine, a hormone associated with pleasure. In another study led by Dr. Predrag Mitrovic from the University of Belgrade, 30 minutes of music a day greatly decreased levels of anxiety while music therapy was effective for patients who just suffered a heart attack.
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