Did you know that listening to music can help speed up learning? There are a few conditions to ensure that music benefits you instead of distracting you. After all, some people work better in complete silence, and others need white noise in the background. We’ll discuss how we can use music to our advantage, so feel free to pick out the techniques that benefit you the most.
Avoid listening to music with lyrics when studying
Listening to lyrics is considered as an input of information. Similar to that when you read a textbook. You might not notice because you’re “in the flow,” but your brain processes the lyrics as much as you study and learn. It makes it harder to focus and even reduces the quantity and quality of learning.
If you’re the type who works better in complete silence, you can find yourself in a quiet place to work. But not everyone is comfortable with this environment. If you prefer bringing your work to cafes, try listening to white noise or instrumental songs. (p.s. My personal favorite is Cafe Music BGM channel)
Tip: You can listen to fast-paced music or your favorite songs 15 minutes before you study. Then switch back to silence or white noise when you start studying. It can help prepare your mood and even increase your short-term memory.
Choose your genre based on the task
Not every genre is suitable for what you’re about to do. There are, however, some genres that can boost your performance, giving you a head start on the task.
Here are some examples:
- If you’re working on mundane tasks that don’t require your brain, listening to any genre of music would do.
- About to hit the gym or start your at-home workout routine? Prepare yourself a playlist of upbeat songs. Studies have shown that listening to fast-paced music can improve performance and increase stamina.
- For those looking to sit back and relax, listening to nature sounds can help. It could be the sound of rain, ocean waves, or birds chirping in the forest.
Did you know: 86% of the participants in a study reported better sleep quality when they listened to 45mins of classical music before bed.
To Conclude
Spend some time to enjoy these stress relief activities and refuel yourself on motivation and productivity. By keeping yourself in top condition, you can achieve more and reach your goals easier. It all starts with you and your health. Everything else is secondary.