What is the one song you turn on when you need a mood boost? When you’re angry? When you just need to belt some words out in the shower? We all have those songs that seem to fit these moments perfectly.

But what about the song that makes you feel like you could conquer the world (or at least that spreadsheet that’s due today)?

Music can do amazing things, including boosting our productivity. And there’s plenty of science out there to prove it.

The Science Behind Music & Productivity

Throughout history, many have believed in the power of music when it comes to improving work. For example, in 1909, department store owner John Wanamaker had an organ placed in his department store to give his employees a morning boost.

And in the early 1940s, the “Music While You Work” radio program debuted and played twice a day for factory workers as they worked. The goal? To make these workers more productive.

In 1993, a single study was completed by allowing those taking a specific section of an IQ test to listen to Mozart prior to the exam. It was suggested that listening to classical genius boosted test performance.

More recent studies have shown that these individuals and scientists were onto something. In 2005, one study found that listening to music had a positive effect on work for systems developers. In fact, their quality of work was lowest without music and their time on task was longest when “music was removed”.

Image shows a woman sitting behind a laptop with headphones on, her eyes closed and a slight smile

For the factory worker, music boosted morale. For those taking the IQ test, music boosted their moods. And for those working in development? They too were happier with music.

It's now widely accepted that listening to your favorite tunes can improve how you feel, thus increasing productivity. How? Studies show that we are simply more productive when we're happy.

There’s Music for Every Type of Work You Do Each Day

Think about all the tasks you need to do each day, from morning to night. From performing your morning routine to making dinner for your family, there are many things that demand your attention. And music can help you complete each step with focus.

1. Waking Up

One of the hardest tasks of our day is often simply waking up. Hitting the snooze button isn't something to make a habit of, especially when you have things to get done.

According to Spotify and PhD candidate David M. Greenburg, the perfect “wake up” song should build gradually, be positive, and have a strong beat. In fact, the beats per minute (BPM) should be around 100 to 130 for the best results.

Some examples of great songs that fit the bill include:

  • “On Top of the World” by Imagine Dragons
  • “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay
  • “Walking On Sunshine” by Katrina & The Waves

These are also great songs to jam out to while getting ready for the day. They're a great boost of confidence before going into work.

2. While On-the-Clock

The music you listen to while you work must walk a fine line between distraction and focus. For the best results, you'll want to avoid listening to music with words, as our brains are used to focusing on lyrics.

You should also turn down the volume and avoid music that's too upbeat while you work. In one study, scientists saw a notable decrease in performance when music was fast and loud.

From the studies above, you can gather that classical music is a great option while you work. Other options include instrumentals from your favorite soundtracks, nature sounds, and even white noise.

The key is to find what works best for you. Lyrics may not bother you at all, while white noise may drive you crazy. Try a few different options and make adjustments as you go.

Image shows a women sitting in a chair with a laptop listening to music

3. Working Around Your Home

This is where the fun happens. Doing tasks around your home such as cleaning, cooking, and organizing calls for music that just feels good and keeps you motivated.

A solid workout playlist might be a great place to start, especially if you're feeling a bit worn out. Or, you can simply put together a playlist of all your favorite upbeat songs. And yes, the lyrics are okay here!

4. Preparing for Sleep

At the end of your day, it's time to wind down. And distractions such as checking your email or thinking you need to catch up on your favorite Netflix shows can impede your sleep.

Music can definitely help. For example, babies can often be soothed to sleep through a favorite lullaby. Believe it or not, this is also true for us adults.

In one study, adults who listened to around 45 minutes of music before going to sleep reported better sleep quality beginning on the first night. And in another study, women with insomnia fell asleep faster after listening to their favorite music for 10 consecutive nights before getting into bed.

Image shows a person lying on a bed with headphones on listening to music

What kind of music is best for nighttime? While there haven't been too many studies completed regarding the genre of music and sleep, some experts suggest selecting music that's around 60-80 BPM, as this aligns with the body's resting heart rate.

Classical music is a great genre for sleep. But, if classical isn't your jam (pun intended), some other examples of popular songs that might be great to add to your nighttime playlist include:

  • “Someone Like You” by Adele
  • “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran
  • “Skinny Love” by Birdy
  • “Fix You” by Coldplay

Tip: Keep Specific Playlists for Everything

A great tip is to always keep a Spotify or Apple Music playlist dedicated to each moment that requires your focus. For example, you could have a playlist for bedtime, work, walking the dog, cooking, studying, or driving.

As you listen to music throughout the day, songs you think might be a good addition to each playlist can be added quickly. Soon, you'll have full playlists ready at a moment's notice for anything.

Music Can Help You Get More Done Each Day

Music is truly powerful. Whether you're working on a project with a tight deadline or cooking dinner, music can help you focus on what's most important to you.