The Best Study Music for Concentration and Focus
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The difference music can make when you’re studying is actually quite amazing.
Listening to music while you study can help with your productivity and can help put you in the right frame of mind.
Not only does listening to music help your productivity but it helps you stay focused for longer periods of time. Listening to the right type of music can also help improve your mood, which will directly result in better study sessions.
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The big debate: to listen or not to listen.
We’ll first be taking a look at why you should listen to music.
The first and most obvious reason you should listen to music is if you have studying anxiety. It’s been shown that listening to music reduces test anxiety and overall stress in students.
Listening to music has been shown to help you focus – if, of course, you’re listening to the right music.
The final reason that you should listen to music is because of the emotional benefit. For me personally, I enjoy listening to classical music while working because it puts me in a good mood.
Now, we’ll be taking a look at why you should not listen to music while you study.
Listening to music while studying can actually reduce your cognitive abilities. Basically, this translates into not being able to memorize things.
While it is true that music can help you focus, it can also impair your ability to focus on tougher tasks.
From what I’ve personally read, it’s said that you should listen to music before your study sessions or while doing busy work. But leave enough room for silence when working on the really tough tasks.
You also want to stay far away from music with lyrics and try to only listen to instrumentals.
If you’re struggling to focus, I suggest…
I suggest that if you’re wanting to stay in the zone longer, you should invest in some earplugs.
If you’re a person with any sort of sensory processing disorder, earplugs can be a night and day difference. (They definitely helped me!)
I personally use Loop earplugs to keep my attention.
And I must say, they are a complete life-changer. I have found that my own productivity had improved drastically once I had started to use them.
Sometimes I like to put in my earplugs and place my headphones on top of them so I can stay completely focused.
They’re great if you have dogs, roommates, or just a busy home.
There are two main types of loop earplugs:
Perfect if you are in an environment where you still want to be able to hear those around you – or to hear others talk to you.
I personally have both!
Classical Music
Of course, I had to include classic music as the first item on this list. Classical music is calm and elicits a positive studying environment. It’s also been shown to help with productivity in some studies.
My Recommendation: Beethoven, Chopin (my favorite), Debussy
Instrumentals
Basically, any instrumentals that aren’t too hardcore, are perfect for studying.
I would just suggest that you steer away from listening to instrumentals of your favorite songs with lyrics, because it may break your focus while studying.
My Recommendation: Greenred Productions – Relaxing Music
Nature
Listening to nature sounds is best for individuals who have a lot of anxiety. Studies have shown that listening to nature sounds actually helps lower our fight or flight response.
It does this by just generally making us happier.
My Recommendation: johnnielawson
Timed Tempos
Interestingly, studies have shown that listening to time tempos can’t help ease you. This is partially due to the fact that your heartbeat slows with the music you listen to.
Listening to timed tempos also helps with creativity.
My Recommendation: Relax With Me
Modern Electronic
It’s a common myth that listening to electronic music is actually worse for your retention than listening to classical music. Thankfully, that’s not the case!
Electronic music is really good for calming the mind – just make sure so you don’t get too invested in the songs!
My Recommendation: Gravity Music
Plan a Playlist
To wrap up this post, I mainly suggest that you use music as a way to relax your mind and to make your environment more positive.
To keep from using your music as a distraction – set up a playlist before you study and put it on loop.
Remember that listening to music is supposed to help your focus & retention, NOT for it to be your main distraction.
Happy learning!
