Here a playlist to help you boost productivity, using science

A study has revealed the 43 songs you need to include in your playlist to keep you focused when working from home. 

Using ‘scientific studies’, boffins at business loans group Trasmit Startups performed the research with key findings including:

• An unproductive workforce costs British businesses £143 billion each year
• Happy music can make you 23% more creative
• High noise levels decrease your cognitive ability
• Music with a heavier bass is more effective at increasing your confidence
• Relaxing music with a slower bpm can reduce anxiety by 65%
• Dance music increases proof-reading speed by 20% 

The study has highlighted categorised songs that serve 6 different purposes when working:

• To boost confidence: Songs with heavier bass are proven to be more empowering 

• To ease tension and reduce stress: ‘Weightless’ by Marconi Union can reduce anxiety by 65%

• To increase creativity: Evidence shows Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons, Op. 8 No. 1, RV 269, “Spring”: I. Allegro’ can make you 23% more creative

• To make you focus: Evidence shows that playing rock music in the background when you’re focusing can improve cognitive performance

• To improve efficiency when proofreading: Dance music can increase proof-reading speed by 20%

• To get you through when working on repetitive tasks: Whether you’re inputting data or replying to emails – upbeat music can help you to perform tasks quicker

Transmit Startup’s research also reveals that listening to music that hinders productivity could be costing your business thousands. For example, if you are a sole trader, your own lack of productivity could cost your business £4,500 per year – but if you’re like 95% of other UK businesses and have 1-9 employees, that cost jumps to £40,500 a year. 

Studies show that multitasking slows us down and makes our brains less efficient – and if the office music is taking too much of our attention and causing a distraction rather than making us focus, it could have a detrimental effect on our work output. 

During their research, Transmit Startups spoke to Marianne Rizkallah, a Music Therapist at North London Music Therapy, who said: “Music can help us through challenging times by attempting to change our mood can affirm or complement our inner feelings. It can put us in touch with what we’re feeling at a deeper level, help us connect emotionally to our thoughts and bring us to a place of greater understanding about ourselves as we experience heightened emotional insight.”