Music and Productivity

Whether you prefer listening to classic rock, rap, or symphonies, there have been several scientific studies that prove listening to music can help boost work productivity.

I know what you’re thinking – “No way listening to my favorite Taylor Swift playlist will help me do better at work! Show me the receipts.”

Happy to oblige!

Teresa Lesiuk, Ph.D, published a study in collaboration with the University of Windsor in Canada back in 2005. The study examined the productivity of 56 software developers both with and without music present in their work environment. When employees did not have access to music, the study showed that tasks took longer to complete and the quality of work was severely diminished. Positive mood alteration provided by the employees’ favorite tunes changed and increased productivity. If you don’t believe me, you can check out the full study here.

On another note (see what I did there?), it can be difficult to focus while trying to combat the sounds and distractions of a modern office. If your office is anything like ours here at TBG, then you probably like to get excited about your work, celebrate successes, and chat about what you’ll be having for lunch. Sometimes, it can be helpful to tune out the distractions and get in the zone. This is where music comes into play (wow, I am good at puns). Listening to music activates the area of our brain that releases dopamine, often referred to as the “happy hormone.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to prove that people do better work when they’re happy and comfortable! Dr. Amit Sood at the Mayo Clinic says that it only takes 15-30 minutes of listening time to regain your focus, pump up your dopamine levels, and help you break through the post-lunch slump! Find more info from Dr. Sood and the New York Times here!

Personally, I would listen to music all day if I could. However, as a recruiter, it’s not really feasible, since I spend the majority of my workday talking to people. That being said, when I need to do repetitive tasks, like perform any sort of data entry, that’s when I’ll break out the tunes. Oftentimes, I’m able to avoid distraction, anchoring my focus in the music. Sometimes I’m surprised by how much I’m able to accomplish just by sitting, listening to music, and focusing! If you’re not convinced by my personal testimony, Fox and Embry conducted a study way back in 1972 where they found that listening to music helped improve efficiency when performing repetitive tasks. Find the full study here.

Many studies have proven that listening to music while you work can positively affect your mood, improve productivity, and help you focus. The mystery still at hand is which type of music is best. Well, my friends, that is totally up to you. Some people find that instrumental music is their vibe, while others prefer heavy metal. Honestly, I’ve found that the answer is unique to every single person. Experiment with different types of music! I’ve made it easy by curating 7 different playlists for you to explore! The categories are endless, but the 7 I’ve chosen to explore are: Lo-fi/Jazz, Pop, Hip-Hop, Indie, Folk/Country, Classic Rock, and Classical/Movie Favorites – you’re welcome!

Alexa, play “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton. Now let’s get to work, folks!

Written by

McKenzie Anderson, Associate Recruiter