How does music affect your mood at home and at work?

How does music affect your mood – and what’s the workplace music etiquette? Our experts give us the lowdown!

In this Article:

Music has a big impact on our mental state

Different types of music affect us in different ways

Music can cause workplace conflict though!


OUR PANEL	Gemma Kirby Construction Business Co-Owner and Musician	Nicc Johnson CEO, Music Health
How does music affect our mental state?	Music can have a big impact on our mental state and overall well being, especially in a work environment. As a musician myself, I always have music playing in the background (not just my own!) to boost my mood and stimulate creative thinking. At my husband’s construction business, I encourage playing music on site that has a steady tempo, and often music they know, to help with focus, which leads to increased productivity.	Music can greatly impact your mental state. What is important to understand is: how are you feeling right now and what is the right music for you to feel different/better?
Do different genres affect us differently?	Yes, different genres definitely affect us differently and so they should! However, the type of music and personal preference can also impact this. For instance, complex or highly engaging music might be distracting for tasks that require deep concentration at work. But if you are requiring energy for a specific job or task, try listening to dance music or fun pop music!	Each genre has a certain framework, so we can speak about genres in general terms – for example, Salsa music is generally upbeat and energetic, whereas ambient is always mellow. That said, the styles of music and how they impact you depend on your music taste and how certain music makes you feel. For some people, heavy metal can be relaxing while for others that would be torture. This has everything to do with your VibeDNA ®.
What type of music should we be listening to when needing to focus?	Ambient music is designed to be soothing and non-intrusive, making it effective for creating a peaceful backdrop that can aid in concentration and reduce anxiety at work. It’s great for tasks that require focus without a lot of mental stimulation. Too many words can be distracting.	Again, in general terms, we are better off listening to white noise or ambient sounds that have little or no vocals in them. The music should be of low variance, so it should have very little changes in the music – that gives our brain the ability to ‘switch off’.
Are there any negative consequences of listening to music when working?	Music with complex lyrics, or music that’s too loud and heavy, can distract workers. Sometimes this means that they struggle to focus on both the music and the task at hand. Music can sometimes overstimulate workers, again switching their focus from work to other things. Hearing damage is also a concern, as worksites are quite often already loud with tools and equipment going, so adding music can be quite a lot from a noise perspective.	Listening to really relaxing or energetic music when you need to be hyper-focused might not be the best idea, but it really comes down to the individual. There are surgeons who operate listening to their favourite songs and others that need complete silence.
What is the etiquette for playing music when on site?	Playing music when on site can lead to conflicts and frustrations between employees if it’s not something everyone agrees on. It can also disrupt colleagues who prefer to work in silence. We have found that a good balance of music that our employees know, and that is not played too loud or in stressful, busy periods is welcomed. It’s about the culture and social dynamics of the worksite and employees.	Music is personal…unless you are playing music intended for background fill to replace the ‘noise’ in the office…it is always recommended to not play lively music across the entire workspace.