Music key to reducing stress and improving productivity, study says

Listening to music is key to reducing stress and improving productivity, a global study has found.

The survey found that when people listened to their favourite song, 75 per cent felt lower stress.

Two thirds of people also said listening to music made them feel healthier than without music, while 61 per cent said it made them feel more confident at the gym.

And the survey found music was more effective than coffee in helping people get work done: with respondents saying music improved productivity by 50 per cent or more.

The study was carried out by Dr Daniel Müllensiefen, a music psychologist at Goldsmith’s, University of London, in collaboration with Sonos. More than 12,000 people were surveyed.

It also found higher quality sound has a positive effect on people’s experience of music. Those experiencing good sound liked the music 20 per cent more than those listening to a reduced quality.

Dr Müllensiefen said: "In summary, it can be said that a high sound quality has a significant correlation to stronger positive emotions, a richer musical experience and general happiness.

“It is also exciting to note that this is apparently not a culturally influenced effect, since there were hardly any differences in the results between the individual countries."