Using Ambient Noise and LoFi Music to Stay Productive and Concentrate
Toni Buffa
Lo-fi music is a steady rhythm that can improve focus and concentration, which leads to increased productivity, and is typically used for studying, relaxing, and working; there are no reasons not to give it a try.
Lo-fi, short for “low fidelity,” is a type of music between 60-90 bpm (beats per minute) for background noise, also called ambient noise, and has been proven to have a calming effect on the brain. It’s a downtempo hip-hop music genre that has gained much popularity over the last few years. It’s trendy among students for studying but has benefits regardless of age or occupation.
Sit back and listen while you read about the benefits of lo-fi, popular platforms to listen on and how to integrate this topic into your days as you see fit.
The Benefits of Lo-fi Music
It’s important to begin by noting that studies have shown that music, of all genres, affects brain activity. Some evoke increased motivation, while some have the effect of lowering motivation. Here are three positive effects that lo-fi music offers.
Calming Effects
Lo-fi beats have calming and therapeutic effects on people. A study from The University of Helsinki found that “Pleasant and stimulating background music has been found to temporarily reduce anxiety as well as enhance awareness and cognitive performance in tasks.”
Improve Cognitive Performance
Studies have shown that background music, like lo-fi, improves working memory and speeds up performance in skill tasks. These are tasks that require problem-solving and memory recall skills. With increased cognitive focus - comes stronger focus!
Boosts Productivity
Multiple factors go into the statement of lo-fi increasing productivity. For one, lo-fi music can help reduce stress by offering a relaxing tune while studying or working. Stress can get in the way of your daily productivity, so by reducing that stress, you increase productivity.
Another factor is that lo-fi may boost your mood. As I said earlier, music of all sorts affects our mood. Lo-fi’s rhythms and beats are bright and fun, resulting in a better mood! Lower stress levels and improved moods often accompany increased productivity.
Popular Platforms for LoFi Music
Lo-fi is available on all major music platforms: YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Music. For platforms like Spotify, Soundcloud, and Apple Music, you just have to type in “lofi” in the search bar, and many will populate for you to choose from. Of all of the platforms, the most popular of those is YouTube. One of the most, if not the most popular, lofi channel is Lo-fi Girl on YouTube, with 15.5 million subscribers.
Nutrient Workflow also is building a lo-fi playlist to help our subscribers and customers be more productive. Nutrient Workflow aims to make organizations more efficient and productive, so adding a lo-fi playlist is right up our alley. If you are looking for lo-fi, here are some YouTube channels to check out.
Integrating Ambient Noise and LoFi Music into Daily Routine
Adding lo-fi into the daily routine is as easy as opening a link. If your morning routine consists of reading emails, getting your planner in order of tasks, and getting started, all you have to do is add one small step. Open your channel of choice, choose a video or playlist, and let it work its productivity magic.
There are also lo-fi channels on YouTube that incorporate the Pomodoro Productivity Technique into them. If you are not familiar with the Pomodoro Productivity method, we have a full article about it on our blog. But these videos take chill, relaxing, lo-fi beats and add them to a loop in intervals of 25-30 minutes of “focus” music and then 5 minutes afterward for a break. These videos are around an hour long, giving you two “focus” sessions and two “breaks” while working on a task. This is my recommendation for a Pomodoro-style video from YouTube, Study with Cats/Pomodoro Timer 25/5, and there are more options on their channel, Pomodoro Cat.
Another recommendation is to use headphones when listening to lo-fi; it helps block out distractions like cars driving by, construction down the road, or even a loud upstairs neighbor. Try adding Lo-fi music into your daily routine and see your productivity increase!
In conclusion, lo-fi music has been sweeping the internet for a while now, and over the last few years of gaining more popularity, it has had immense benefits for its listeners. By having calming effects, boosting brain activity, and increasing productivity, there are no reasons not to give it a try. Plug in your headphones, select your video, and start a productive study or work session to enhance focus and productivity.
