The impact of music on productivity: Insights from science

Understanding the science behind music and focus

The relationship between music and productivity is as complex as it gets – there are a lot of factors and intricacies to keep in mind. However, it’s proven that different types of music affect different parts of our brains, meaning that you can, in fact, bio-hack your body into a certain type of routine.

It’ll take time and consistency, though, but for now, let’s go through what kinds of music can impact your working (and living) routines:

Music Type	Best For	Effects	When to Use
Classical	Deep focus work	Improves attention, reduces stress	Complex tasks, writing, analysis
Nature sounds	Creative work	Enhances creativity, reduces anxiety	Brainstorming, design work
Ambient	Routine tasks	Maintains steady focus, blocks noise	Data entry, repetitive work
Instrumental	General work	Balances focus and mood	Most work situations
Lo-fi	Light focus tasks	Maintains alertness, reduces stress	Reading, light research
White noise	Concentration	Masks distracting sounds	Noisy environments

The neurological impact

So music affects different parts of our brain, yes? How exactly, though? Let’s get technical:

• Dopamine release. The chemical that makes you happy and content. Music boosts its production, improving your mood and motivation.
• Cortisol reduction. The chemical that makes you anxious and stressed. Music reduces its production, making you more resilient to all kinds of worries and problems. 
• Neural synchronization. Microscopic parts of your brain that coordinate your thinking and creativity processes. Music ties them all together, making you more focused and attentive to details.
• Memory enhancement. Self-explanatory. Retaining information is much easier with the right music playing in the background.
• Cognitive stimulation. Cognition is all about staying alert and awake. Not in an anxious way, though. Music boosts your brain to be the right type of energized, not unhealthy one. 
• Emotional regulation. Mood swings are a common thing during work, especially with a couple of important calls on the horizon. Music helps you take things slowly, stabilizing your mood.

Task-specific recommendations 

Let’s get even more technical, shall we? So say you’re an aspiring IT developer, what kind of music will fit your type of activities better? What about HR? Marketing? We’ll break it down for your convenience:

Development:

• Instrumental and electronic music. Helps maintain coding rhythm.
• Techno. Creates a stable background rhythm. Opt for lighter techno and avoid heavier subgenres like witch house, though.
• Ambient. Doesn't distract from complex tasks. Maybe some quality OST, for example?
• Lo-fi hip hop. Maintains concentration and gives you impeccable vibes.
• Nature sounds. Helps with debugging and problem-solving. Just don’t get sleepy.

Marketing:

• Upbeat pop music. Stimulates creativity.
• Light jazz. Helps with copywriting. There are some great compilations on YouTube.
• Modern classical. Suitable for strategic planning. Hanz Zimmer is the safest option.
• Motivational playlists. Maintains energy. Just don’t go overboard with it.
• Cafe background music. Creates a working atmosphere.

Creative Work:

• Jazz fusion. Stimulates unconventional thinking. Try Japanese bands – these guys know a thing or two about quirky jazz rhythms. 
• World music. Expands creative horizons. Mongolian throat singing, Brazilian reggaeton – everything works.
• Progressive rock. A great way to energize your workflow – just don’t let it distract you too much!
• Instrumental folk. Creates a calm atmosphere. Instrumental folk is going through a rebirth right now, so the variety is there.
• Experimental music. Inspires new ideas and broadens the horizons.

Data Analysis:

• Minimalist classical. Helps structure thinking.
• White noise.  Improves concentration. Stormy nights with rain are our favorite.
• Mathematical music. Supports analytical thinking. Yes, “mathematical music” is, in fact, a thing. Try 65daysofstatic, for example.
• Rhythmic electronic. Sets work pace.
• Baroque. Aids complex information processing.

• Keep task complexity in mind and adjust the music accordingly.
• Set the volume to a moderate level.
• Match the tempo of the music with your energy needs.
• Plan your listening duration and take regular breaks from the music.
• Maintain genre consistency.
• Don’t forget to account for your own, individual taste.

Potential pitfalls

There are, of course, a bunch of mistakes you can make on your voyage to improving your workflow. The guidelines below will help you avoid them, though:

• Create separate playlists for different work tasks
• Start with quiet, calm background music
• Gradually introduce different musical styles
• Note which music works best for you
• Regularly update your work playlists

Related articles:

For insights into maintaining focus while working, explore What is a Kanban board? A guide to visualizing and managing workflows. 

To optimize your work environment, check out How to set up goals: Practical strategies for achieving success. 

For managing your work schedule effectively, read Workflow templates: How to optimize processes for maximum efficiency.

Conclusion

Music is the most affordable and simplest way to bio-hack your brain for better focus and motivation. Do some homework picking different genres and building your work-music routine, and it’ll pay off in the long run!

Meanwhile, using tools like Taskee alongside your newfound passion for coffee shop jazz can double the positive effects and significantly improve your productivity.