The look of a conventional office is always pretty clear: a sturdy desk for the laptops and computers, a (hopefully ergonomic) chair to sit on, and the encouraging paraphernalia placed around, but is that it, or is there something else we can add to the formula to make our workspace much more pleasing?
That list of objects is a given, of course! After all, we’ve all seen that cardboard cut-out image of an office multiple times before, but as time goes on, it is made much clearer how the stimulation of every single one of our senses can help us improve our productivity during work hours.
Conventionally, we’d only make use of two of them, the most obvious ones: sight and touch; but if possible, it is always recommended to positively trigger all of them, one way or another.
We already discussed how having subtle scents like vanilla or jasmine lounging around the air can influence our behavior, which pretty much covers the smelling part of our five senses, but what about the hearing part? Is it a good idea to have a relaxing soundtrack playing in the background while we go on our day at work?
Well, they say “silence is golden”, but a study made in 2018 by Accountemps, a division of the consulting firm Robert Half, showed that 71% of the 1,000 participants felt more productive whenever they had music playing – very good news to all the music enthusiasts out there!
Benefits of Listening to Music During Working Hours
Music makes us happy independently of the place we’re in; it doesn’t matter whether we’re at work or our house, as it helps our brain release dopamine, better known as the “happy hormone”.
This was discovered by The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital in “The Neuroscience of Musical Chills”. Because of this, music can even be considered a natural antidepressant. It reduces our stress and anxiety levels and increases our overall health.
Depending on the music genre, music can also strengthen our memory. It helps us recall events better since certain songs are linked to specific memories. It varies from person to person, of course, but we all have that one track (or set of tracks) that stirs our emotions and transports us back in time, don’t we? In my case, it would be an entire mix of 2019 Latin songs.
Music can also reduce insomnia and motivate us to enhance our performance in any activity we’re doing. Imagine playing Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk and not wanting to do your absolute best. Can’t picture it, right? Well, neither can I.
This sudden burst of energy is credited to the connection that exists between our auditory neurons and our motor neurons. To put it simply: if our body moves, our brain does as well.
Last but not least, music can help us cultivate friendships within the office. There’s nothing nobler than having a karaoke buddy, is there? Someone who sings (and reenacts) even the most dramatic soundtracks with you is not something you can find everywhere.
Just check that the singing of both of you won’t bother anyone else at work.
Now, to address the elephant in the room: there are many things to take into consideration before we go visiting the streaming platform of our choosing, from the policies our company might have regarding the topic, to how comfortable our coworkers would feel, and so on… “While music can be a stress reliever or source of motivation for many workers, it can be a distraction for others,” said Michael Steinitz, executive director of Accountemps.
In an office, certain limits should always be respected. Not everybody will be comfortable with the sound of chords joining their day. So, here’s a list of the things that you should do ahead of hitting that play button:
Tips to To Listen To Music During Work Hours
- The use of headphones is always a must, especially for those who work in shared spaces.
- Lower the volume. Your music is for only you to enjoy.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Listening To Music At Work
- Don’t interrupt or ignore others. Whenever someone calls your name or the phone rings, pause the music and pay attention.
- Don’t sing along or hum. It will likely distract others.
- Don’t spend a lot of time browsing between artists or albums, choose a single playlist and stick to it during the rest of your shift!
At the end of the day, and for those who are allowed to listen to music during work hours, the options on all of this are simple: would you rather have the sound of paper getting stuck in the office printer, or would it be better to enjoy George Harrison’s voice on Here Comes the Sun? For most people, the answer will be the latter, and now that we know the benefits it would bring, there’s no shame in jamming to one track or two, just make sure you´re following every we’ve given you.
If “music has charms to soothe the savage beast”, as a character from William Congreve’s 1697 play The Mourning Bride suggested, it can surely aid us during our most stressful weeks at the office, can’t it? We just need to take a deep breath, press play, and let our playlist calm us down.
Here at Freelance Latin America, we value music just as much, and a few of our talented Freelancers have shown their musical skills! Check out our Christmas-inspired music video or our St. Valentine’s rendition if you’re constantly looking for new tracks to listen to. Don’t forget to subscribe to our channel for more videos showcasing our Freelancers’ talents.
See more article by Jenaro Perdomo
