Have you ever wondered, why is it so much better to work when music is playing in your headphones? Or when you’re running in the morning? Have you ever felt that portion of extra motivation that comes when you play your favorite song?
The studies of how music affects our brains have been going on since the 1950s; there’s even a special niche in neuroscience called neuromusicology, which studies the way our nervous system reacts to music.
Scientists have figured out which music is best for a particular mood. For example, ambient and natural melodies are best for productivity, and light pop music can put you in a motivating mood. Music creates a motivational background for all our activities, impacting physical and mental endurance.
We often underestimate what music can do for us in terms of productivity. Why is music so important for your motivation? Let’s find out.
1. Music Reduces Fatigue
Stress and fatigue are the first killers of motivation. Far too often we feel too tired but need to continue working. While having a rest and sleeping is the best option, it’s often impossible due to certain circumstances.
Research has shown that music has positive effects on mental fatigue caused by routine tasks, which is exactly what we suffer from at work. While routine is sometimes considered good for productivity, falling into it is a trap. By performing similar tasks every day we settle into a groove, and soon our brain gets tired of the routine.
How can music help battle fatigue and increase motivation? By listening to music you bring something new and fresh, which helps your brain escape the routine and get a little bit distracted. In this case, distraction is good: it fuels your brain to continue working and improves your physical endurance.
2. Music Increases Stimulation
Have you ever noticed how much better your morning run gets when you put in headphones and turn on your favorite song? This is because music is able to increase stimulation, as there’s a connection between auditory neurons and motor neurons.
That’s why music often makes us more mobile and motivates our body to move. Physical activity sparks mental activity; therefore, music fuels productivity and motivation.
The effects of music on physical and mental stimulation is widely used in many HR techniques to help employees get more productive and motivated. Peter Jenkins, an HR manager from A-writer, shared with us his experience using music as a stimulus for productivity: “[A] couple months ago we incorporated music therapy into our work routine to help our employees maintain focus. As a result, their productivity increased by 40% and they became more satisfied with their job as well.”
3. Music and Motor Coordination
If you’ve ever been to a fitness class, you’ve probably tried those exercises where you need to move to the beat of the music. This is a bright example of how music is connected to our motor coordination, which is widely used in fitness.
But how does an improved motor coordination impact your motivation?
There’s a direct connection between these two notions. As you move to the rhythm of the music, it not only helps your motor coordination but also boosts your self-confidence. Thus, listening to music, either during an exercise or while doing a task at work, can boost your self-confidence.
Improved self-confidence is also directly related to self-esteem. Therefore, music has an effect on the way we perceive ourselves. Huffington Post also did an article on how music can improve a teen’s self-esteem, which is a burning topic nowadays. Apparently, music helps teens determine their values, which establishes the feeling of self-respect. It also impacts the ability to take responsibilities and motivates teens to take complicated challenges to boost their skills.
It’s safe to say that music does a character-building job, helping us become more determined and motivated. It’s also necessary to mention that music boosts our ability to focus, being a healthy distraction from all other irritants that make us procrastinate.
4. Music, Relaxation, and Motivation
Everyone knows about the ability of music to help people relax. But how is that related to motivation?
Stress relief and body and mind relaxation are the natural remedies to our exhausted brains. Music acts like a natural distraction from all issues that bother our minds, thus greatly contributing to the quality of our relaxation. Music is able to bring our minds to peace, which will later help our ability to concentrate. Thus, music, relaxation, and motivation are closely connected, as music helps us recharge and fuel our body and mind.
Wrapping Up
Music is a very powerful neurological tool that helps us change our mindset and mood, so listening to your favorite tunes while performing different activities is a great motivational exercise. Moreover, music is able to change the way we perceive the world, making it more positive and outgoing.
