Do you listen to music while you’re working? I love listening to music when I’m working because I feel like I am more creative and productive. I like to listen to soft music, nothing too loud or fast tempo or I lose my focus.

To be honest, the one time I actually get to listen to my music is when I am writing (#busymomlife). I either turn on Pandora and play my “Nina Simone Radio” or “Classical Music for Studying Radio.” I also really enjoy listening to instrumental hip-hop music from various YouTube channels. Chill Hop is my go-to YouTube channel for chill music.

Listening to Music at Work Helps You Stay Productive…Sometimes

This Life Hacker article by Kevin Purdy discusses “The Mozart Effect” and if listening to music really helps you stay productive. It depends, Purdy says.

“So the real answer turns out to be, unfortunately, ‘it depends.’ It depends on whether your office or workspace is noisy enough that a good kind of noise or music is preferable to the natural cacophony. It depends on your personal attention span, and how likely you are to fiddle with controls versus letting a music stream trickle past your ears.” —Kevin Purdy

Listening to New Music Can Make You Lose Your Focus

Derek Loosvelt wrote this article about how listening to music can make you more productive unless you’re listening to a song(s) for the first time.

“However, studies show that listening to new music, music you haven’t heard before and don’t know if you like yet, isn’t ideal since your mind will be focusing too much on what comes next in the music. Whereas when you listen to music you know well and like, you won’t be losing this type of concentration while listening.” —Derek Loosvelt

I agree with Loosvelt’s research findings that listening to new music while you’re working can be distracting. I have found when I listen to a new song, I lose my focus on the task I am trying to complete. I think this is why when I am writing, I prefer more instrumental music over music with lyrics.

But if I am familiar with the music lyrics, then it doesn’t really bother much. I guess it’s just like Loosvelt wrote in his article: “it makes sense to do what works for you.”

What kind of music do you like to listen to when you’re working?

Here are a few artists I listen to when I’m working.

MGMT
Photo courtesy Amazon
Tyler the Creator
Marian Hill
Nina Simone
Aretha Franklin

Also, check out: Aretha, Queen of Soul and 5 Motown Classics That Remind Apropos of Summertime in the D.

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].