Improve Your Focus with Music

Have you ever had a bad day, but listening to music makes it all better? There’s something in the way that music—more specifically, sound waves—affects our brains that not only entertains us, but can actually make us feel better. It can help us relax, relieve us of our stress, or even get us excited and energized.

Studies have found that music can also our brains to increase our creativity, productivity, and concentration. Some types of music can actually help us while we work, others help in blocking out background noise, while others can also sync with our brain waves to induce “eureka moments,” filling our brains with endorphins.

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Classical Music

Classical music has been found to help people relax and reduce stress because of its, usually, calm and flowing melodies. But can it really help you do tasks more efficiently? The “Mozart Effect” suggests so. The effect hypothesizes that classical music can enhance brain activity and help improve health and well-being. Studies have also found that people who listened to classical music have been able to better manipulate shapes and solve spatial puzzles. But not for the long term.

Maybe the genre’s lack of lyrics encourage focus and concentration because words in a song can often become a distraction. Regardless, other more recent studies have shown that a group of people who listened to, not only classical songs, but pop songs did better at solving puzzles than those who didn’t. So maybe it isn’t so much the genre of the song you listen to, but your preference of the song: your enjoyment and engagement with the music, rather than the particular notes or melodies you listen to.

Nature Sounds

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Have you ever closed your eyes and listened to sound of waves crashing or rain falling? For most, sounds of nature like these can induce a sense of calm and relaxation. Sounds of flowing water are soothing. But other nature sounds can also be jarring and distracting, like bird calls and thunder claps.

Soothing nature “music” can often be found on meditation or even sleeping apps because they induce a sense of relaxation. In fact, researchers at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute discovered that natural sounds can boost moods and focus in the work place, with employees feeling more positive and productive.

Maybe these sounds also help mask other more distracting sounds, like the sounds of typing, people talking, or the air conditioner blasting air. Regardless of the reason, natural sounds can help create a calm and positive environment where you can work in peace.

Music between 50 and 80 beats per minute

Studies suggest that it isn’t the type or genre of music that is important, but the tempo that can help you stay focused and productive.

Dr. Emma Gray is a cognitive behavioral therapist who worked with Spotify to research the different benefits that come with listening to different types of music while studying. She found that listening to music between 50-80bpm puts the brain in an “alpha state.”

According to Gray, this particular range of beats has a calming effect on the brain, but keeps it alert and concentrated, which helps encourage the brain to learn and retain new facts.

Your favorite music

If you don’t like classical music or listening to natural sounds, fear not because listening to your personal favorite music can also be beneficial. Listening to the types of songs that you like can still improve your mood and productivity.

Research done by Teresa Lesiuk, assistant professor in music therapy at the University of Miami, found that those who listened to music they personally enjoyed completed their tasks faster and came up with better ideas than those who didn’t. This is because enjoyable music makes people feel better and improves their mood while doing a task.

Everyone has different study methods. Maybe you’re someone who needs absolute silence while studying, or maybe you need some background noise. Regardless, you know yourself best. It doesn’t hurt to try out a few of these song choices the next time you’re doing homework or studying for a test.

But keep in mind, listening to any one type of music will not make you smarter. But it may help improve your mood, relax your thoughts, and help you focus.

Happy listening 🎶