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Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the working world has drastically changed — temporarily and semi-permanently. Some companies in the United States are permitting their employees to work remotely on a permanent basis if they choose.

But working from home isn’t always as incredible as it sounds. Trying to focus in spaces where you usually relax can prove to be difficult at times. The team here at Carter Recruiting and Associates did some digging and found some crazy discoveries on just how effective listening to music is in regards to maintaining focus.

Does listening to music REALLY help you be more productive while working?

It absolutely does. In fact, there’s tons of research to back it up. Teresa Lesiuk, an assistant professor of music therapy at the University of Miami, found that workers who listened to music stayed on task more easily, and were able to finish quicker. The responses to Lesiuk’s study also revealed that it helped shift workers’ moods in a positive way, and made creative tasks much more stimulating.

Why is pop music my answer for staying productive at work?

According to a Soxedo Engage study of 2,000 United Kingdom employees, pop music was the most favored genre for driving top-tier productivity, with 58% of the employees choosing the genre. Its upbeat tone, soothing vocals and oftentimes fun attitude creates a more inviting workspace.

What other genres or sounds should I listen to?

While music helps you stay productive, not every genre is going to drive the same results. It’s important to choose the right music or the right playlist in order to maximize your results, depending on what you want to do. These are some of the most popular genres and sounds that employees love and why.

  • Classical music for focus: this genre has long been one of the biggest favorites for students and employees looking to get an extra boost in focus. According to a study on ScienceDaily, seven of eight doctors said that classic music helped them stay more on task while they worked. Many believe that since there are no lyrics that this helps stimulate the mind and have less to take in.

  • Lo-fi music for relaxing: Lo-fi music, or technically referred to as “low fidelity” music, is more geared towards creating a mood through instruments and beats, which is actually perfect for working conditions. You can find tons of Spotify-curated lo-fi playlists or on any of the streaming platforms of your choosing.

  • Ambient/nature sounds for getting rid of stress: We’ve all had those work days when the workload is piled up, and you’re feeling stressed out just thinking about it. If this is the case, you’ll probably want to go with some ambient music or nature sounds. These can ease your mind and and create a more blissful workspace. We highly recommend the Calm app, which you can download in your app store. It has a ton of meditation sounds, soundscapes, and nature audio to help you get rid of the stress that’s holding you down.

What are some of your favorite genres to listen to in order to crush your work day? We’d love to hear about it on our Facebook page!

Carter Recruiting and Associates is one of the largest independent recruiting and outplacement companies in Arkansas. Our headquarters, located in Little Rock and our satellite office in Conway, both service accounts nationwide. We have satisfied clients and references from some of the largest companies in the state. With over 50 collective years of experience in the recruiting business, we have a vast amount of resources and knowledge to ensure a job well done.

Cherie Richardson
President

Cherie is the owner and president of Carter Recruiting and Associates. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Mississippi and has over 30 years of experience in the recruitment of executive and manufacturing professionals. Cherie’s work has been instrumental for new plant start-ups, as well as building and maintaining relationships throughout the region and state of Arkansas. She is a member of the National Association of Female Executives and the National Association of Women Business Owners.