Audio is the Number One productivity booster according to a study of 4000 adults in the US and UK commissioned by Spotify during February 2021. The study found that 87% of people believe productivity touches every aspect of their lives, from work and creative pursuits to managing a home and caring for a family. It also found that no matter the task at hand, audio is a key part of people’s productivity tool kits. It helps individuals achieve certain moods, transform their environments, and get into the right frame of mind. Audio is the number one productivity booster, with 37% of respondents citing it as the key driver to success during productivity moments. This played out on Spotify too: Over the past year of social distancing and spending more time at home, there was a 26% increase in user-generated ‘focus’ playlists created on-platform globally.
Key findings from the study
Nearly 75% of respondents agreed that the type of audio they stream needs to be tailored to the activity they’re doing. So whether you’re working on your desktop, going for a walk to clear your mind, or going for a drive to run errands, you need to have the audio to match.
- Study and chill – 69% of respondents said ambient or chill music is better for studying, with 67% indicating ‘slower’ beats are key for their study sessions. The top three most popular playlists within the Spotify Focus Hub across the globe include: Peaceful Piano, Lo-Fi Beats, and Instrumental Study. “Chicago Freestyle (feat. Giveon)” by Drake and Giveon is the top-streamed chill/ambient track, followed by “Mariposa” by Peach Tree Rascals, “Yellow Hearts” by Ant Saunders, “Into the Unknown” by AURORA & Idina Menzel, and “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen.
- Foster home improvement – 64% of respondents said that when doing housework or making home improvements, they prefer to listen to high-energy music with a faster BPM. Listen to Spotify’s “Get Chores Done” and “Housewerk” playlists.
- Fuel creativity – 43% of respondents said they are more likely to listen to instrumental music when writing creatively or analysing data/information.
The study also found that the largest barrier to being productive is internal stimuli – things like stress, mood, and level of tiredness. Roughly 80% of respondents said listening to something helps them focus, tune out distractions, and create their own space.
- Use audio to help you fight the afternoon slump – Spotify found that streams of its Focus Hub are highest in the afternoons, between 12 pm and 5 pm
- Find the right track for you for the moment – Searching for the perfect song or podcast for the moment can be tough – nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents said they struggle to find the right content – but personalized playlists like Spotify’s popular Discover Weekly or Brain Snacks playlists can help you find the right audio.
- Switch off when you need it – Audio isn’t only for laser-focused task completion, it can also help you decompress. In fact, 87% of respondents reported using audio to help switch off and relax. Updated twice daily, the evening edition of Spotify’s Daily Wellness playlist is built to get you ready for a good night’s sleep so you can slip into one of the most crucial acts of wellness and self-care. Listen to Happier with Gretchen Rubin, where Rubin provides practical, manageable advice about happiness and good habits.
Spotify’s Focus Hub can be found here.
