With approximately 25% of the U.S. population fully vaccinated, employees may be preparing for or adjusting to their return to common workplaces. However, the number of employees suffering from burnout continues to climb due to added workloads, increased responsibilities and less breaks.
There are several remedies that employees struggling with burnout can utilize to combat reduced mental health and low productivity. There is one antidote, in particular, that is gaining attention and may be the most accessible and immediate — music.
According to a survey by audio brand company Sound United, 85% of employees expressed that listening to music improved their overall well-being and productivity during COVID-19. Additionally, 79% of respondents stated that music reduced their feelings of loneliness, an emotion exacerbated by the pandemic and quarantine guidelines.
Of those surveyed, a quarter of employees listen to more than five hours of music per day. 70% of employees say they have a “pump up playlist” to help them prepare for the day ahead, with genres like pop, rock and alternative music as the most popular for remote workers.
“The power of music is astonishing. Music stimulates the brain and we become bored less easily and stay focused. It can also help us to stay calm, reduce stress and moderate our pulse.” — Dr. Becky Spelman, Psychologist of the Scala Radio Study
Boosting office productivity through music has been a psychological theory for decades. In fact, this concept was one of the original claims of the Muzak company — founded on the idea that background music was an important way to hold and manage employees’ attention.
While implementing impactful employee benefits and wellness remedies varies amongst workplaces, these studies suggest that employees who listen to music on the job are increasingly more productive and motivated. An academic study titled “The neurochemistry of music” found that listening to music releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, all chemicals that help individuals connect to each other.
Within the last year, we have seen a major rise in employers incorporating benefits and perks to help employees stay healthy and motivated; 58% of employers are offering wellness benefits and 83% now provide mental health support. “While those benefits support employees with stressors related to work and home life, music can be a simple fix to reset and revamp your mood during the workday,” stated Kevin Duffy, CEO of Sound United.
Reaching out to your employer and finding specific forms of music and boundary options that benefit those around you can impart some of the psychological benefits of music while working.
Information provided by Employee Benefit News.