Have you ever wonder if listening to music helps boost focus? If so, do you know what the reason is? I conducted some research and like to share my findings with you.
According to research, music has direct links to improving our cognitive and physical health and has been shown to boost our focus. While this statement is correct, not all types of music can boost our focus and so types of music can distract our focus.
Music is the medicine to our mind and soul. It has direct links to improving our focus. A study conducted by Hallman, Price, and Katsarou, (2002) found children exposed to calming and relaxing music while performing arithmetic and memory performance test performed better compare to non-music conditions. Besides improving our focus, music has been linked to many cognitive and physical health benefits. There is a lot to unpack here so I will deep dive into this in the rest of the post. Now we have established music to help boost focus and have other benefits, the next question is “Do all types of music boost focus”?
Music with Lyrics can Distract us
Not all types of music are the same and the effect on us varies. There have been studies indicating music containing lyrics drain your concentration. So the answer is not as simple as it seems.
Instrumental Music can Boost our Focus
This includes classical music such as Bach, Mozart, and other greats. I listen to Bach when I need to work on something that requires deep concentration. I found this type of music helping me focus better and is now my go-to music when I need to focus. Below is Baroque Adagios at 40-60 Beats Per Minutes (BPM)
Ambient Sounds can Spark Creativity
Humans are very sensual, which is why ambient sounds can trigger all our senses helping increase creativity. Ambient sounds that are present in a scene or location such as wind, water, birds, crowds, office noise, etc,. I listen to this type of music when I write.
Binaural Beats can be Designed to Boost our Productivity
Binaural beats are designed to target specific frequencies in the brain. These frequencies are Delta, Theta, Alpha and Beta. Binaural beats work by generating two different tones. It is designed to integrate the sound of two brain wave state into a third. The binaural is design to boost concentration and boost brainpower. For binaural beats to work you will need to have a headphone to have tones come out of different sides. I will explain the types of brainwaves state below. This will give you a better understanding of how each type affects you.
Cool facts on Brain Wave State
The brain has four primary brainwave patterns:
Delta (0.2Hz – 3Hz)
Deep, dreamless and restorative sleep. This is the state you are in when you are in deep and dreamless sleep.
Theta (3Hz – 8Hz)
REM sleep, dreaming, creativity. This is the state when you are in deep meditation and light sleep. This is where you experience a deep spiritual connection
Alpha ( 8Hz – 12Hz )
Awake, relaxed, focused. This is the brainwave associated with deep relaxation and during light meditation. This is the optimal brainwave for imagination, visualization, memory, learning, and concentration.
Beta (12Hz – 27Hz)
Highly alert, problem-solving. This is the normal waking state consciousness and is a state where you are at heightening alert and associated with logic and critical thinking. It is linked to stress, anxiety, and restlessness and is associated with health problems.
Other Related Questions
Now that we know the type of music and what each brain wave state does, other questions that come to mind include:
How does music benefit you?
What factors determine music is helpful or distracting?
Does music help you with work?
There seems to be so much to unpack. Let’s deep dive into each one of these questions.
Interesting Benefits Music Have on Our Body and Mind
Studies have shown music reduces anxiety and depression and lower blood pressure. Besides the health benefits music can improve your sleep, mood, boost memory, retention and enhances your brain functions such as learning and concentration. It stimulates both the left and right hemispheres of your brain.
Music can help us Reduces Stress
High levels of Cortisol can lead to health issues ranging from anxiety, concentration problems to high blood pressure.
Studies have shown music to lower the stress hormone cortisol. It helps the body release dopamine, which makes us happy and boosts our concentration and our ability to learn.
The Independent reported that for sufferers of anxiety, listening to Haydn string quartet can have calming effects on an individual.
Music can Decrease Depression
Listening to music with other people releases oxytocin, a hormone that’s responsible for increasing trust and strengthening social bonding between people. Studies also show listening to music for long periods decreases depression and fill people with hope.
Music can Boost Cognition and Learning
Music enhances reading and literacy skills. Reading paperback boosts have been shown to help boost memory and increase our vocabulary. It also improves reasoning skills and mathematics according to research. Learning music utilizes both hemispheres of our brain to increase connectivity between the two sides. Young children learning music is recommended.
Music can Increase Memory
Great for enhancing long-term memory especially familiar music. Older people with poor memory listening to old songs can boost their memories when they were younger. A 2007 study from Stanford University published in the journal Neuron found that music engages the areas of the brain linked with paying attention, making predictions, and updating memory.
What are the factors that determine if music is distracting or helpful
Music structure: songs with more complex structures can be distracting to the listener.
Lyrics: can be distracting due to the listener focusing on the lyrics. A study by the University of Phoneix found listening to music with lyrics can be distracting while you read, study and write. Your brain can struggle to process musical lyrics and your schoolwork at the same time. Performing two actions at the same time is considered multitasking. Research has found multitasking can decrease your IQ points.
Listening habits: depends if the listener is used to listening to music when working. If the listener is used to listening to music at work then it can be beneficial depending on the music. If they are not used to listening to music then it can be distracting.
The difficulty of tasks: if the task requires deep focus music can be distracting.
Control: depends if the music is imposed upon the listener. For example, background music in a cafe that is not chosen by the listener can be distracting.
Does Music Help You With Work?
We have established music can boost your focus. Other benefits of music including a decrease in anxiety and stress, improve memory and concentration all contribute to better productivity. So definitely, the right type of music can help you with work.
How Can We Use Music’s Special Powers?
The best way is to use music to shape your workday. I use various types of music to boost my mood and concentration during various times of the day. I will share this with you below:
Music before work
In the morning before I leave home I turn on some upbeat music such as Relax Cafe Music. I like to start the day on a positive and upbeat mood. This creates a positive and active mindset for the day.
Music for Deep focus work
When I get to the office, I put on some classical music while I am performing deep-focus work. I try to choose a 60-minute to 90-minute long youtube video, for example, J.S Bach: The Violin Concertos.
Music for stress reduction
Other times I will play some background Ocean Waves and Nature music to block nose and also relax. This type of music helps me relax and lowers stress.
Music for administrative tasks and emails
When I am trying to go through emails or perform tasks that require less concentration but require fast action I listen to smooth ambient music like – Chillout Lounge Playlist.
Final Thoughts…
In summary, music can not only boost focus but also can help with boosting memory, reduce anxiety, reduce stress and a whole range of benefits. Not all music is beneficial in particular music with lyrics or not chosen by you can be distracting. By understanding the type of music and the way they mimic our brain wave states, we can use music to boost our focus, productivity, and our mood. By associating the type of music you listen to specific tasks, it will allow you to get into the work quicker. Your mind will associate for example Bach to focus on creative work and upbeat music to a positive mood.