Music is a mood-booster, a source of inspiration and a way to turn any casual get-together into a memorable all-nighter. And with several proven health benefits, it’s safe to say that music is a big deal in our lives. But it doesn’t just improve our well-being in measurable ways—it makes everyday activities better too.
No matter how you spend your time, having a personal soundtrack can help you enjoy everything on a much deeper level, whether you’re a fitness buff on the edge of hitting your next milestone or a master chef working on a culinary masterpiece. And with so many ways to enjoy music, there’s no reason not to press play.
But don’t just take our word for it—we have receipts. Here’s a list of the best things to do while listening to music.
Work and Study
When there’s a lot of work on your plate, music can be the difference between productivity and procrastination.
An article published by Discover Magazine explains that background music at work regulates emotions and allows you to process information more efficiently. Additionally, some of the benefits can be enhanced depending on the genre of music and type of work task. For example, if you need to memorize something or are focused on a task that requires critical thinking, pick an instrumental.
But music isn’t only helpful in the workplace. Students are putting earbuds in and tuning out the world to focus too. Northwest Central University published insights that explain how their students can experience improved memory and retain more information while studying with music.
Although classical music is popular in classrooms, college students are changing the record and listening to chill “study beats” playlists to focus on their classwork. Pick any of Spotify’s “lo-fi” playlists to try it for yourself!
Meditation
You don’t need years of training in seclusion to experience the benefits of meditation—simply find a quiet place and listen to music to vibe out. If your ship feels like it’s sinking, meditating with relaxing music can save your mind from the storm.
Mindfulness meditation has several benefits, including decreased depression, reduced stress, anxiety relief, and improved memory. Combined with the health benefits of music, meditation can be an effective emotional and physiological aid to any lifestyle.
Spotify is packed with endless relaxing playlists, but what if you want a guided meditation experience? Check out our roundup of the best audio wellness apps to find a program that works for you!
Household Chores
Let’s be honest—household chores aren’t always the most exciting thing to do. That’s why we recommend a dose of high-energy songs packed in a long, non-stop playlist.
Music turns household chores into a house party. But what is it about music that makes everything better? Researchers say it has everything to do with our brain chemistry. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shared research that shows dopamine, the neurotransmitter that gives you the fuzzy feel-good, plays a major role in the positive feelings induced by music.
The next time you’re not feeling motivated to get things done around the house, use music to boost your mood and productivity.
Exercising
At the turn of every new year, hundreds of people sign up for gym memberships, then slowly lose motivation within a matter of weeks. While this isn’t the case for everybody, experiencing a wave of “meh” before you exercise is completely normal, even among fitness veterans.
How can music fuel your workouts? Crafting the perfect workout playlists can motivate your mind and body to work harder. According to New Hampshire University, research conducted back in 1911 helped scientists discover the connections between music and increased exercise performance.
The performance boost you get from music isn’t limited to one workout style. Researchers have also discovered the benefits of listening to music while running, including improved endurance, pace, speed and focus.
After you find the best earbuds for working out, you can get an exercise boost from the music you love. UE FITS offer a sweat-resistant design that never falls out, even while jogging or during intense full-body workouts like boxing.
Traveling
Before you hit the road, don’t forget to pack a playlist. Whether you’re cruising down the highway or traveling abroad on a long-haul flight, music can enrich your experience in more ways than one.
In 1979 the Sony Walkman started it all in terms of listening to your music on the go, but now we can travel with an endless stream of our favorite tunes. Before heading out, you can craft the perfect travel playlist to last the duration of your trip—hours of uninterrupted music to let your mind run free.
But what if you have travel anxiety, like pre-flight jitters? Listening to binaural beats can help ease your mind. Results from a pilot study conducted by the Helfgott Research Institute at the National College of Natural Medicine shows participants experienced decreased anxiety from listening to binaural beats.
Travel anxiety isn’t a curse, and your favorite streaming services can help you erase it. Both Tidal and Spotify have playlists full of relaxing binaural beats to keep you calm, or you can check out our anti-stress playlist that, yes, was made for Black Friday, but works for travel, too.
Gaming
Grab your controller, turn up the music and claim your spot at the top of the leaderboard. In addition to giving you a competitive edge, music can help you unwind and enjoy your favorite video games.
Some games famously have great soundtracks, but a lot of gamers prefer to curate their own. Background music “changes the game” and creates an entirely new experience. The next time you sit down to game, pick some music with the same vibe—or get creative. Match Led Zeppelin with Minecraft or Bach with Fortnite. Whatever you do, have fun doing it!
Cooking & Dining
Whip up culinary masterpieces with a dash of ambiance. Listening to music while cooking creates a deeper connection to the food you’re making and the people you share it with.
The music you choose depends on the mood. For example, a fine dining experience calls for intimate, smooth jazz. Baking with your family? Pick something fun and lighthearted that everyone will like.
And this isn’t all anecdotal. Back in 2014, Researchers at the University of Oxford sought to find a link between music and our perception of flavor. Their goal was to pair food with the optimal sounds to bring out its flavors, like pairing a meal with wine. For example, they might pair a dark chocolate dessert with music with high notes to bring out the sweetness.
Likewise, restaurants have been curating their playlists for decades with the goal of improving your dining experience so you both enjoy your meal and spend more money. An article from the popular restaurant publication Rewards Network recommends loud music with a fast tempo if you want to turn tables faster and soft music with a slower beat if you want diners to stay longer and spend more.
Additionally, a study by MIT found that consumers are more likely to purchase higher-end wine from a restaurant that plays classical music vs. pop. Then again, the type of restaurant that plays classical music probably has a different clientele than the one that blasts the Billboard Hot 100.
Music isn’t reserved for four-course meals or intense cooking sessions. Even if you’re pouring a bowl of cereal or grabbing coffee out the door, music makes it better. Pick a playlist and enjoy whatever you bring to the table.
Get Creative
Your creative moments are whatever you want them to be. Although creativity doesn’t come with a rulebook, you can enhance your creative flow by listening to music.
Musicians already know the benefits of listening to music to get the inspiration bug to bite, but they’re not the only creatives who can benefit. From writers to sculptors, all creators can listen to music to get a cognitive boost. Behavioral science experts have evidence that suggests ‘happy music’ optimizes divergent thinking—the ability to come up with ideas.
There’s no limit to what you can create. The next time you sit down to write, paint, draw or code, listen to music to let your imagination run wild.
