If you’re anything like me, you love listening to tunes whilst you work. But did you ever consider that the type of music you’re listening to can have varying impacts on your overall productivity? Neither, until now.

As luck would have it, there’s been numerous scientific studies conducted by actual scientists, identifying the numerous benefits of “tuning on” whilst “tuning in”.

Follow along as I attempt to explain a small percentage of all the cool discoveries made on my descent down the Google rabbit hole.

So, studies (like this one) have shown that certain types of music are beneficial to our focus and overall ‘vibes’ whilst working. Some sounds assist with learning by enhancing our ability to process information, whilst others help to divert our attention from distracting background noise. Others even sync with our brain waves to induce those ever-elusive Eureka moments!

Check out the sounds below and press play for an instant boost to your productivity.

1. Classical Music.

Smart people have long claimed that cranking classical tunes can help people perform tasks more efficiently - and turns out they were right! This theory, dubbed “the Mozart Effect”, suggests listening to classical composers like Mozart can enhance brain activity and even act as a catalyst for improving health and well-being.

This may come down to the fact that you don’t have to navigate lyrics or other distracting elements in order to focus.

Or maybe it’s just cos these cats were all geniuses - and now you are too!

Here’s a few classical jams to elevate you to a higher plane of consciousness:

• Bach Classical Study Playlist​
• Classical Music for Studying: Mozart, Beethoven, Bach Study Music Playlist for Better Concentration​
• 6-Hour Mozart Piano Classical Music Studying Playlist: Great Beautiful Long Pieces​
• Vivaldi’s quick-tempo “Four Seasons”

2. Nature Noises.

The soothing sounds of waves waving or streams streaming may enhance cognitive function and concentration. That said, refrain from more distracting sounds, such as birds squawking or lions roaring may have an adverse effect on your ability to focus.

Give these a whirl!

• Ocean waves and surf​
• Thunderstorm sounds​
• Rain falling​
• Flowing water​
• Water fountain​

3. Cinematic Scores.

An intense film score can make you feel like you’re doing something heroic, even if you’re just chipping away at your to-do list! An epic soundtrack is gonna make you feel like a Brosnan-era James Bond and up your chances of surviving to try another day. Pew, pew!

Give these a spin if you wanna switch your vibes from zero to hero:

• “Inception”
• “The Social Network”
• “Moon”
• “Lawrence of Arabia”
• “Cloud Atlas”
• “Amélie”
• “The Bourne Identity”

4. Video Games Soundtracks.

Video game music is composed in a way that intends to keep you engaged as you evaluate, navigate and often fight your way through these make-believe worlds. These musical compositions may be just the thing to propel you onward and keep you zooming through your tasks quicker than Sonic the Hedgehog.

Give these epic button bashing bangers a bash!

• Battlefield One​
• Final Fantasy 7​
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time​
• Assassin’s Creed 2​

5. 50-80 bpm Chillers.

Dr. Emma Gray, a cognitive behavioral therapist, worked with Spotify to research the benefits of certain types of music. She found that listening to music set in the 50-80 bpm range puts the brain into an alpha state; the optimal zone for achieving breakthrough moments in creative thinking.

When we’re awake, we’re typically in a beta state, a heightened state of alertness where our brainwave activity is between 14 and 30 HZ. When our brain slows to between 7 and 14 HZ, we’re in a more relaxed alpha state of mind, allowing us to be more receptive and less critical. This state of mind is what scientists associate with activities that involve our imagination, memory and intuition, including our ‘Eureka!’ moments.

There’s a lot of music across various genres that fit this BPM, so Google tunes within this bpm range to find the right music to go ALPHA on your day.

6. Tunes You Actually Like.

As luck would have it, simply liking what you listen to can help you work! This will work best if it’s not too intense or lyrical, but honestly, you do you! At the end of the day, whatever it takes you to get the job done is always worth putting on your “Repeater Heaters” playlist.

So, press play & embrace your newly enhanced productivity! Whether it’s checking off your task list, clearing out your inbox or crushing that deadline, there’s a whole lotta tunes out there to help!