How I use sound to boost focus
Using sound to boost focus
In my article last month, I focussed on calming sounds and in particular on birdsong. In this article I'm focussing on how I consciously use sound to improve my focus. One of the key words here is consciously. Many of us rely on our automatic habits for many of our daily choices and that may include the sounds that we routinely expose ourselves to. We might allow music streaming services to choose all our music for us, and I certainly benefit from listening to ready-made playlists, however I try to chose them consciously, to support me in carrying out whatever activity I'm doing. Julian Treasure's work on sound is excellent including some inciteful TED talks on Youtube.
I've discovered that I find it harder to focus, especially if I'm writing content such as emails, or these blogs, if I'm listening to music with lyrics. I've found that I can focus much better if I listen to music with a nice steady rhythm and dynamics (loud and quiet), and have recently experimented with baroque music. I find it calming, but it also helps me concentrate. I'm listening to a baroque playlist as I write this article.
Another type of music I listen to when writing is film scores. I have a particular playlist that I love and find my concentration kicks in as soon as the first track starts. I love the melodies and the energy but because there are no lyrics, I'm not distracted whilst writing.
I came across other forms of sound in a fantastic self-discovery workbook called 'How to meet yourself' by Dr Nicole LePera. These are:-
1 - Binaural beats - which is an auditory phenomenon whereby 2 sounds of different frequencies are played at the same, one through each side of the headphone, creating a third tone that is perceived by the brain. It's thought to be calming whilst helping to synchronise brainwaves.
2 - Solfeggio frequencies. These use specific ancient tones or frequencies that can have different effects on the brain such as to improve sleep, or boost creativity.
I've found playlists featuring these unusual sounds on my music streaming service and find them really useful to help me to focus, or to relax.
Sounds for motivation
If my goal is to exercise harder at the gym, I'll listen to uplifting music, with a steady regular beat and uplifting lyrics and melodies. I find it difficult not to move in time with the music and so if I chose the right tracks it can help me to train harder or run faster! Kelly McGonigal has done some amazing work on this - her book 'The joy of movement' is an excellent resource.
Music can have really profound effects on our body and mind. For example, if you were to think of the theme tune for the movie 'Jaws' - I expect you could immediately hear the familiar duuuh, dum, in your mind and perhaps felt a slight increase in muscle tension or heart rate. I hope the opposite response is true when my Pilates relaxation music starts playing! Email me if you'd like to join a regular weekly Pilates class in Hook.