Your Student Life: Music for Focus
February 11, 2025
Increasing numbers of people are struggling with focus problems in recent years. While the cause of this is complex and multifactorial, so are solutions.
It is important to consider that medications are just one part of the solution and may not be appropriate for everyone.
There are many medication and non-medication ways to improve attention depending on the individual.
Music might be an option for some people to improve focus
· One study found that classical orchestra music can increase mood and productivity, making it great for studying (1).
· For those who don’t prefer classical music, electronic music with little to no lyrics may be an option (1).
· Another study found that instrumental music without lyrics was better for focusing, as lyrics can be distracting when high concentration is required (2).
· One study found that compared to silence, personally chosen background music enhanced young adults’ attentional control performance (3).
Types or features of music might worsen focus include:
· One study found that music that causes you to feel stressed or sad worsens attention (5).
· Listening to strongly preferred or popular music while attempting to focus tends to decrease task performance (6,7).
Caveats
· Research shows a that there is a variation from person to person in their capacity to benefit from music (4).
· This is an ongoing area of research and further study is needed.
· You may have to experiment with various types of music to find what works best for you, if at all.
· Some resources for focus music include Headspace app (they sometimes offer free trial version), and online play lists or music services.
· Other strategies to improve focus can be found online, including strategies for finals and academic stress (8) and life/bio-hacks/skills (9).
References:
1. https://www.nu.edu/blog/can-music-help-you-study-and-focus/
3. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.557225/full
4. Bowling, D.L. Biological principles for music and mental health. Transl Psychiatry13, 374 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-023-02671-4
5. Shih YN, Chien WH, Chiang HS. Elucidating the relationship between work attention performance and emotions arising from listening to music. Work. 2016 Oct 17;55(2):489-494. doi: 10.3233/WOR-162408. PMID: 27689591.
6. Orpella J, Bowling DL, Tomaino C, Ripollés P. Affectively parameterized music improves mood and attention (preprint). PsychiArXiv. 2023. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/yauxt
7. Huang RH, Shih YN. Effects of background music on concentration of workers. Work 2011;38:383–7.
8. https://u.osu.edu/emotionalfitness/2023/11/30/strategies-for-finals-and-academic-stress/
9. Patel R. Mental Health For College StudentsChapter 15, Page 494-500.
Ryan S Patel DO, FAPA
Psychiatrist, Counseling and Consultation Service
Office of Student Life