Let’s Talk Music
By Taylor Brouillet-Stock, Account Specialist
Let’s talk music.
Have you been feeling sad lately? There’s a song for that. Happy? There’s a song for that. How about stressed? You guessed it, there’s a song for that! Music is so interesting to me because I feel that there is a genre, artist, or song out there for everyone. Although music has such a wide range and can be very different depending on what the genre is or who wrote the song, I truly believe that music is a way to connect everyone as most people tend to love music. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know too many people that just flat out don’t like any music.
I personally listen to music every day. You can find me jamming out and singing (very offkey) to music while I’m getting ready, driving, working, cleaning, working out, or just chilling. You name the time of day and I’m most likely listening to some type of music.
I think that listening to music has had a positive impact on my life as it usually cheers me up and puts me in a better mood (depending on the song of course). If I’m ever feeling down or stressed, I just turn on my music and it instantly takes my mind off what I may be going through and helps me realize that every little thing is gonna be alright. 😉
Even though I tend to lean towards more happy, upbeat songs, I feel that sad songs can be important too. These types of songs usually have a way of putting what I’m feeling into words, which can be really helpful during sad or stressful times as it reminds me that I’m not in this thing called life alone. These songs also serve as a helpful reminder that other people have been through similar situations that I might be facing.
You may be thinking, why do I care that this girl listens to music? So what? Well, in addition to the benefits that I get from listening to music, turns out there are health benefits too! Extensive research has gone into the health benefits of listening to music which include:
- Reduces anxiety, blood pressure, and pain
- Improves sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory
- Is overall a great exercise for your brain
In my opinion, turning on some music and singing along seems like the easiest and most fun type of workout. Also, life is hard sometimes and if music can be a helpful tool to navigate these stressful times, then I’m happy to share the benefits with anyone who’s willing to listen!
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/keep-your-brain-young-with-music
- Published in Blog
Listen While You Work (do do do, do do, do do)
By Jennifer Outcelt, Creative Content Architect
[This infomercial is brought to you by: Music.]
“Do you have work to do? Do you have hearing ears? If you answered “Yes” to both of these questions, then you need the newest technological advancement in workplace productivity. MUSIC!
Music comes in all sorts of styles, tempos, and harmonies to fit everyone’s needs. We’ve got classical, pop, funk, country, rock, new-age, new-age-classical, pop-country, funky-pop, alternative-rock-funk-fusion with a new-age tune and country twang! We’ve got brilliant bands busting bombastic beats! We’ve got groovy guitarist greats getting Grammys! We’ve got rare rhythm recordings released recently reflecting refrains referenced from Ringo’s riffs. We’ve got it all!
We’ve got music guaranteed to boost your work productivity or your money back!
So come on down to the internet, where we store literally everything, and get your music today!”
[Now back to our regularly scheduled blog post]
Many people claim that music helps them focus better at work, but it’s hard to objectively pin point why, or if music is even a controlling variable at all. Some studies have shown an increase in productivity leading us to normalize music in the workplace. Employers are becoming much more comfortable allowing employees to listen to music at their desks or through headphones during work hours. Just listen to this satisfied employee from Initech.
“I was told that I could listen to the radio at a reasonable volume from nine to eleven, I told bill that if Sandra is going to listen to her headphones while she’s filing then I should be able to listen to the radio while I’m collating, so I don’t see why I should have to turn down the radio because I enjoy listening at a reasonable volume from nine to eleven.” – Milton, Office Space
While music certainly seems to enhance focus at times, it can also take it away. There is a ton of history behind music and productivity and even more ambiguity around it’s true effects. Here is a fantastic article from the BBC that tunes in to this history and our society’s current view on music and productivity.
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200317-does-music-help-us-work-it-depends
- Published in Blog
