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Lauren, Sadie, and I were interested in seeing what type of music helps people be the most productive. Music has proven to be highly influential on the teenage brain. I personally have always enjoyed listening to calm pop music when I work. That genre of music sort of plays in the background creating little distraction but managing to keep me focused and on task. Despite my personal preference I've heard that classical music is more beneficial in creating a productive space for us to work. Regardless of the scientific reasoning as to why this may be true, we all have our preferences. I think it's interesting to see how people work and what they feel is most helpful for them when trying to focus. We are going to send out a survey to the whole grade asking what they listen to when they study then asking what their grade average is to see if there is any pattern or correlation.

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Music isn't just a means of entertaining ourselves: it can also encourage creativity and help us become more productive. Listening to music can also be therapeutic, relieving feelings of stress so you can concentrate better.

10'000 Hours | Getty Images

Research has found that certain types of music can be beneficial to us while we work. Some types of music seem to help with learning and improve our ability to process information. Other types help block out distracting background noise. Still other types sync with our brain waves to induce "eureka moments."

So, if you're struggling with productivity and want to know what you should be listening to, read on. These are the six types of music that will give you a major boost in productivity.
Related: 12 Ways Millionaires Manage Their Time to Achieve Maximum Productivity
1. Classical Music

Researchers have long claimed that listening to classical music can help people perform tasks more efficiently. This theory, which has been dubbed " the Mozart Effect," suggests that listening to classical composers can enhance brain activity and act as a catalyst for improving health and well-being. Various studies have confirmed that listening to classical music enhances one's ability to manipulate shapes and solve spatial puzzles.

The absence of words in the music may be one factor, as songs that contain lyrics have been found to be a distraction when you're trying to focus. And classical music is known for being calming, relaxing and helping reduce stress. This genre of music has been found to help students perform 12 percent better on their exams. Some selections, like Beethoven's "Für Elise," seem to help students study longer and retain more information.

Here are other few classical selections you can use to boost productivity while working:

2. Nature Music

Listening to the sounds of nature, like waves crashing or a babbling brook, has been shown to enhance cognitive function and concentration. Nature sounds work best when they're soothing sounds, such as flowing water or rainfall, while more jarring noises such as bird calls and animal noises can be distracting.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have discovered that natural sounds boost moods and focus. The study found employees were more productive and had more positive feelings when nature sounds were playing in the background while they worked.

This may be because nature sounds helped mask harsher, more distracting noises, such as people talking or typing. Researchers found that workers not only performed better on tasks, but calming nature sounds also had a restorative effect on cognitive abilities.

Here are some selections to try:

3. Cinematic Music

An intense film score can make you feel like you're doing something inspiring or important, even if you're just chipping away at your to-do list. A grandiose, epic soundtrack playing in the background may make even the most mundane tasks feel like you're changing the world, thus heightening your concentration and productivity.

Cinematic music scores can be empowering, lifting your spirits and brightening your mood. So, if you're feeling tired and drained, try listening to some epic-style cinematic music to give you that extra boost of motivation.

Some great movie scores to try include:
Related: 3 Reasons Why You Should Listen to Music at Work
4. Video Game Music

It might seem strange, but listening to music composed for video games can be a great tool to help you focus. Every element of a video game is designed to create an enhanced gaming experience for all your senses, and the music has been composed specifically to help you focus on your task without being distracted by a cacophony of sounds.

This music generally has no lyrics or human voices and is fairly fast-paced to keep you moving forward. Many of these video games involve solving puzzles and dealing with intense situations, so you're subjecting yourself to simulated stressful challenges. Video games have invested a lot of resources in figuring out the perfect balance to the music they use.

Video game music is composed in a way that keeps 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 and daily to-do list.

Here are some excellent video game music selections to check out:

5. Music between 50 and 80 beats per minute

Some research suggests that it's not the type of music that's important in helping you stay focused and productive, but the tempo of that music. Studies have found that music with 50 to 80 beats per minute can enhance and stimulate creativity and learning.

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- to 80-beat range puts the brain into an alpha state.

When we're awake, we're typically in a state of mind known as beta, a heightened state of alertness where our brain-wave 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 that allows us to be more receptive and open, and less critical. This state of mind is what scientists associate with activities that involve our imagination, memory and intuition, including our "eureka moments."

If you have ever listened to music that you're familiar with, only to find yourself deep in thought and not really hearing the music at all, this is an alpha state induced by music. You're tuning out while being tuned in.

It works best to find songs you're familiar with and set at 50 to 80 beats per minute. Here's a playlist of songs in that range, including these popular tunes:
Related: 12 Ways That Music Makes You More Productive At Work (Infographic)
6. Your favorite music

When it comes to tackling projects that you're not really excited about, it can help to put on music you enjoy. Studies have found that putting on your favorite type of music can improve your mood and productivity.

Teresa Lesiuk, an assistant professor in the music therapy program at the University of Miami, found that personal choice in music is important when deciding what to listen to while working, especially for those who are moderately skilled at their jobs. Her research found that participants who listened to music they enjoyed completed their tasks faster and came up with better ideas than those who didn't because the music helped them feel better and improved their mood.

The only time this didn't hold true was if the music participants listened to was distracting, such as having a beat that was too fast or lyrics that caught their attention.

So, the next time you need to plow through a mountain of paperwork or stay focused on a task, try turning on your favorite tunes.

Entrepreneur Editors' Picks

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These 6 Types of Music Are Known to Dramatically Improve Productivity

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Music isn't just a means of entertaining ourselves: it can also encourage creativity and help us become more productive. Listening to music can also be therapeutic, relieving feelings of stress so you can concentrate better. Research has found that certain types of music can be beneficial to us while we work.

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This is what kind of music you should listen to at work to be more productive

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What kind of music helps you get things done, why we gravitate to certain songs, how to match your music to your task, and why silence is still golden.

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If you're a classical music devotee, you already know that the musical stylings of Beethoven, Vivaldi or Bach can transport you to another realm. For others, these masterpieces come just as a mere tune played in the doctor's waiting room. Regardless of how you feel about classical music, research shows that classical music can affect the brain in a variety of positive ways, from boosting memory to aiding relaxation.

Brainpower and cognitive function

If they say that music is 'food for the soul', then classical compositions are omega-3, antioxidants and a pinch of caffeine. During a 1993 control group, physicist and University of California Professor Dr Gordon Shaw saw a spike in IQ in his college students after listening to Mozart. Labelled the 'Mozart Effect,' the study garnered a lot of scepticism and doubt from experts. Whilst the findings weren't specifically linked to an answer in raised IQs, Dr Shaw believed that listening to Mozart could be useful to warm up parts of the brain that relate to abstract thought.

Echoing this, a study by Dr Kevin Labar says that music does have the power to improve intellectual performance and cognitive function, but not by raising the IQ. What actually happens is that the calming effect induced by classical music releases dopamine to spike pleasure. The dopamine also prevents the release of stress hormones. From here, mood is improved, which therefore clarifies thinking - making tasks like essay writing and studying a lot more enjoyable.

Relaxation and reduced stress

If you're feeling stressed from work, school or everyday life - then sit back, close your eyes, and play Bach's Twelve Little Preludes on the stereo. Why? Because classical music is intrinsically linked to reducing stress. A 2018 study on the effect of different types of music on patients' preoperative anxiety shows that classical music can cause the heart rate and breathing to slow, and emotional distress to decrease. Classical music also lowers cortisol levels in the brain that can help lessen anxiety and lower blood pressure.

Next time your children are driving you up the wall, play some Chopin to not only soothe yourself, but to soothe them too.

Improved memory

Keep forgetting where you put your keys? Try listening to some classical music. A study from the Department of Medical Genetics, the University of Helsinki, Finland, shows that listening to just 20 minutes of classical music a day can modulate the genes responsible for brain function and memory. During the study, participants who listened to classical music were more likely to be positively affected. The research team noted an increase in dopamine secretion, synaptic function and the genes associated with learning and memory. This also included the gene synuclein-alpha (SNCA), which is often linked to how birds learn their song, suggesting the evolutionary background of sound perception and memory.

In this same study, classical music down-regulated genes associated with neurodegenerative diseases. A happy brain is a healthy brain, and classical music - especially that that evokes positive memories - can increase dopamine and neuroconnectivity in the system, slowing down the ageing process.

Assisted sleep

Finding sleep a struggle? Insomniacs, rejoice; there's now an alternative to sleeping pills. A 2008 study by the Institute of Behavioural Science at Semmelweis University, Budapest, found that classical music induced a deep sleep in students struggling with sleep disorders - all because the music playing reduced sympathetic nervous system activity, decreased anxiety and lowered the blood pressure of participants, helping the participants drift off to sleep.

So why do classical tunes lull us into the land of nod, rather than pop or punk rock? Songs with an upbeat tempo and words can cause the brain to multitask and become overwhelmed. The slow tempo, tranquil melody and soothing rhythm of classical music makes it the perfect antidote to insomnia and helps the body properly prepare for sleep.

Relish in Symphony Central Coast

It's clear that classical music can have a positive effect not only on the brain, but the whole body too. Its ability to lower blood pressure, decrease anxiety and even reduce pain is enough reason to create a new classical playlist on Spotify. Listening to classical music is something we should relish in every day. However, nothing beats the real thing.

If you're a Central Coast local, or you're just an orchestral fan in general, then you can't miss the next performance by Symphony Central Coast. Formed in 1999 with support from the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, Symphony Central Coast is one of the largest regional community orchestras in NSW. Led by multi-talented composer, Dr Steven Stanke, the orchestra is comprised of some of the most dedicated and skilled local musicians in the region.

'Blues, Reviews and Avenues' with Bernstein - Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Ravel - Piano Concerto in G, Soloist - Gareth Szakos, will be on Sunday 1 December at the Performing Arts Centre at Central Coast Grammar School. For tickets, go to www.symphonycentralcoast.com.au or call 4365 8497.

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The effects of classical music on the brain

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If you're a classical music devotee, you already know that the musical stylings of Beethoven, Vivaldi or Bach can transport you to another realm. For others, these masterpieces come just as a mere tune played in the doctor's waiting room.

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Music has been used as a form of entertainment throughout history but did you know that it can also be used to improve brain function and relaxation?

Classical music and relaxation go hand in hand; the soft sounds from string instruments are both beautiful to listen to and calming. While studies have been done on the effects of listening to music on the human psyche, there is something in particular about classical music that relaxes and "heals" the body.

Classical Music and the Brain

Why is that? Anyone who listens to music knows that it puts you in a good mood, especially when it's your favorite music. Yet, it's the structure and slow tunes of most classical music, specifically, that creates a calming effect on the listener. This is due to the release of dopamine which is the body's natural happy chemical that improves a person's mood, and also blocks the release of stress. When you're happy, you're less stressed, and vice versa. There are a variety of activities that release dopamine and listening to classical music is one of them.

Aside from improving a person's mood and helping them to relax, there are a wide range of benefits from listening to classical music that affect all ages, and all stages of life, from babies to the elderly. Such beneficial effects include:

Improved sleep

Reduced stress

Better memory

Lowers blood pressure

Higher emotional intelligence

Listening to classical music can have these effects and more, but it's important to choose the right music, especially when it comes to relaxation. You wouldn't want to choose classical music that is loud and blaring and relies on brass instruments.

Since classical music form is usually associated with the Classical Period in Western history and the composer Mozart, many guides suggest listening to Mozart for the benefits of classical music and relaxation (more on that below), but any classical music piece can do. Classical music forms from non-European countries, like China, can be just as relaxing due to the similarities in sound and music, and even modern classical music with similar structures and patterns can be found playing softly in many spas.

The Mozart Effect

Are you familiar with the parenting technique of playing classical music to help a baby sleep? Studies show that classical music helps calm babies down, and some parents believe it even makes the baby smarter. This last idea is known as The Mozart Effect, popularized by a 1993 study in which researchers analyzed students listening to classical music before some tests. The researchers found that the students performed better when answering questions after listening to classical music.

While the Mozart Effect doesn't make you permanently smarter, it does make you more relaxed, and therefore able to tackle a task with confidence. The calming effect of classical music takes away any jitters or nervousness, and can help to decrease your heart rate and anxiety. The Mozart Effect relies on listening to classical music while performing a task, which helps to focus on the task at hand and improve memory retention.

How does classical music help with relaxation? Many say that the melodic harmonies are soothing, which in turn has positive effects on the brain. Because classical music is similar to lullabies, it also helps with sleep, causing the listener to go to sleep faster. Classical music and relaxation is almost like a form of meditation, due to all these positive effects, and can even make someone more empathetic and emotionally intelligent, because their body and mind is at peace.

Classical Music at AIRE Ancient Baths

Classical music might not be the first thing you think of when headed to a spa. But at AIRE Ancient Baths, we aim to offer relaxation on all levels for guests. That's why we've partnered with the Dub Sutra Group, who have created relaxing and ambient songs to play in all AIRE centers. The worldly, classical-inspired music is played throughout AIRE centers to complete the ambiance, but also to provide further relaxation.

The music paired with a massage session or an AIRE Thermal Bath experience will guarantee the ultimate relaxation experience as visitors can close their eyes, listen to the music, and enjoy the luxurious sensations and sounds around them.

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Benefits of classical music on the body and brain | AIRE Magazine

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Music has been used as a form of entertainment throughout history but did you know that it can also be used to improve brain function and relaxation? Classical music and relaxation go hand in hand; the soft sounds from string instruments are both beautiful to listen to and calming.

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My first source talks about how students who listen to classical music are generally more relaxed and perform 12% better on tests than those who do not.

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My sources direct readers to believe that listening to classical music improves productivity, anxiety, and improves our sleep schedules.

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The issue with classical music is that it has the power to reduce blood pressure. The lack of lyrics and tranquil melodies reduce anxiety because they don't leave the brain feeling overwhelmed. The issue is that sometimes classical music is so relaxing it puts us to sleep.

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Classical music has proven to be very relaxing but we can't have students getting tired while working. Calm may be a good thing however sleepy is not!

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One source explains that classical music helps the brain focus. In order to figure out if this is true, I suggest we put 30 people in a room with classical music for two hours and order them to work individually on the same task. Then we put 30 different people in a quiet room and make them do the same thing. At the end we check the quality and quantity of both groups work.

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One source talks about how silence is good for people when working. A similar experiment as the one before can be conducted to prove this. This time the treatment group is the group in silence., and we create more groups playing different kinds of music and/or allowing speaking among the people in the group.

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Some sources say that classical music is good for reducing stress. The way I think we can prove this is selecting a group of students and have half of them listen to 1 hour of classical music a day for a month while letting the others listen to 1 hour of their normal music for a month. Then we survey them on how anxious they feel.

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Some sources say that classical music induces sleep. To prove this I think we should conduct an experiment in which one group listens to 10 minutes of classical music before going to sleep and another group doesn't. We then pay attention to their brain movement and see which group on average takes less time to fall asleep.

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Some sources say that listening to movie scores and cinematic music motivates the brain. To test this I think we conduct a similar experiment as I listed before. We put half of a population in a room working on a certain task and listening to movie scores and see if they are more productive than people in a silent room doing the same task.

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One source explains that listening to your favorite kind of music makes you work more efficiently. To test this we can observe a group working on a task listening to their individual favorite music and compare it to people working in silence.

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Suggestion for cognitive function enhancement

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Suggestion for cognitive function enhancement

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One source says that soothing nature sounds like waves and rushing water can enhance cognitive function (concentration and focus). To test this we conduct the same experiment with one group listening to nature sounds and another in silence and compare their productivity. We can also survey each person afterwards about how the sounds made them feel and focus in their own opinion.

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