How to create the perfect playlist for productive work

Nothing spoils my working day is forgotten at home headphones.

Music - an important part of my life, however, as most people. Mostly I listen to music while working, carefully selecting playlists, from neo-classical to indie and electronic music. It is an endless search for the perfect sound that will support me in good shape.

Why do we depend on music

Music helps to withstand time. We appeal to your favorite songs in difficult times when we feel depressed and in need of something that will cheer up. Or when they are happy and want to make this state a little longer does not leave us.

Neuroscientist and musician Jamshed Bharakuccha (Jamshed Bharucha) found that there is something primitive in our love for music. In particular, he openedThat the creative sphere, including music, at the same time allow people to make connections with each other, help to show the identity of the group and work together more productively.

In a recent studyConducted among preschool children, this idea has been developed. Children were divided into pairs and assigned to two groups. While some sang songs together, others just walked. Then each couple was given a toy trumpet with glass beads inside. The pipe was constructed so that the balls can get, but if you raise it together.

Observing the behavior of couples, researchers found that children who were singing together, cooperate more and helped each other. This allowed the following conclusion.

Music can promote cooperation and develop empathy.

But our love for music has not only cultural background. When you listen to your favorite tracks in the brain activates the part responsible for production of dopamine - the hormone of joy, pleasure and motivation. Dopamine is produced and when you eat something delicious, and when you get a new follower on Twitter. It is because of him you want more (and more and more) music.

But after the hundredth or thousandth subscriber in a row Pizza dopamine is produced less and less. The same situation is with the music: when you first hear a song that you like, releasing more dopamine, you're more excited than when listening to one of the old favorite tracks.

Why music helps us to work

Music has a powerful effect on our primary need to communicate with other people, but how does this relate to our everyday work?

According to a study published in the Journal of Music Therapy, listening to your favorite music tracks reduces the feeling of tension and makes you happier and productively even in stressful situations, which is a lot at work.

But, apart from the expected Council "listen to the music that you like," there are a few golden rules for drawing up the perfect playlist, depending on the task you are doing.

1. For simple tasks, select the music you've heard

Scientists have proven that a person's ability to perceive images, letters and numbers amplified, if the background is playing classical or rock, as compared to if the music did not exist.

Similar figures have come and in another study: workers on the assembly line feel happier, have more efficient and make fewer mistakes when listening to music.

In fact, productivity is increased while listening to music, if the problem is perceived as simple or monotonous (eg, if you need to respond to incoming emails). Therefore, when it comes to the same type or boring tasks, including something to listen to, and you finish them faster.

2. When learning to listen without text composition

For a more thoughtful, intellectual work requires effort and is more suited classic instrumental music: it has a greater impact on mental ability than songs with the text.

If the task was especially difficult, the best solution - eliminate all external stimuli (including music). Even imperceptible music on the background can lead to a decrease in attention. The brain spends more resources, while processing and task, and music - performance drops.

3. Favorite songs - in his beloved work

All the magic of the music is shown when you are well versed in what you are doing.

Thus, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medial Association, it has been proven that surgeons worked with more precision when the background played their favorite music.

But you do not necessarily need to be a professional in medicine to yourself to experience all the benefits of good songs. For example, writer Stephen King during the creation of their works she prefers to listen to Metallica and Anthrax.

4. Seek comfort zone for creative work

When you need to focus, scientists are advised to give preference to songs with a frequency of 50-80 beats per minute.

Dr. Emma Gray (Emma Gray) conducted a study to SpotifyDevoted to the study of the use of certain types of music. In particular, it found that the pace of the music in the range of 50-80 beats per minute effect on alpha waves in the brain. A man becomes calm, ready to work and easily concentrated.

Alpha waves are associated with the moment of inspiration - an awareness of how to solve the problem, when you are in a relaxed state (the most famous example of illumination - Archimedes and his "Eureka!").

In his study, Gray notes that it was the pace, rather than a specific genre of music contributes to the achievement of the ideal working mood.