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These past few weeks, I have observed myself listening to songs I used to groove to when growing up in the 90s, or those dance numbers that my parents played telling me that these were their favourites during their college years in the 80s. The music is not just relegated to the times I am taking a break from work or after-work hours, but actually, I have them on loop throughout the day even when I am working! In fact, songs like Auva Auva Koi Yahan Nache by the inimitable Bappi Lahiri and Usha Uthup – a song that my aunt had me dancing to as a toddler! – has words getting typed out in full speed at the very moment.
Isn’t it distracting, you ask? Well, it is subjective… For me, fun, dance-able songs keep me in good spirits and make me more productive! In the current scenario when we are wont to either ‘doomscroll’ or think of the negativity around – with the pandemic, being stuck at home, not being able to meet friends, etc. –, a way to get your mind off those things is highly recommended. And listening to songs is a great way to do so!
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Listening to music has many health benefits too! From helping ward off stress and anxiety to helping better memory to help the healing process… music makes everything better, doesn’t it? This is not just me giving excuses for my music-listening during work hours but it is true – many studies across the world support this. An article from John Hopkins Medicine, USA mentions that “listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.” Listening to music boosts the endorphins in our bodies which amplify the feeling of excitement in us, which in turn helps to reduce anxiety, ease any pain we feel and also stabilize the immune system!
Another way music helps be productive is that it can help drown out the noise in the surrounding, and our brain focuses on the music itself. If you put a particular song that you love on loop, then after the first or second time you hear it, you can tune it out enough to be able to concentrate on the work you’re doing, and still get the benefits of listening to music. A study by J G Fox and E D Embrey called “Music — an aid to productivity” states that music is effective in raising efficiency in this type of work even when in competition with the unfavourable conditions produced by machine noise. This relates to our daily life too; the noise from outdoors like vehicles or even neighbours, or from your own home like the whistle of the pressure cooker or family having long (and loud) conversations can be ignored by putting on headphones and listening to music.
So, put together a playlist of your favourite songs and play them on loop… see the difference it makes! For me, it's time for Sridevi’s Hawa Hawai from Mr India.
Also read: Make Your WFH Workspace Inspiring For Productivity
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