This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive.

Should You Be Listening To Music At Work?

It depends.

Music doesn't just make us want to dance — it improves our health, happiness and apparently even our productivity.

In the video above by DNews, host Trace Dominguez goes over the benefits and disadvantages of listening to music while at work.

According to researchers at Cornell University, upbeat music, when played in an organizational setting, can boost the cooperative spirit of individuals on a team. "Unpleasant" songs (like heavy metal tracks from less popular bands) appear to have the reverse effect, making individuals more selfish.

And researchers say music isn't only beneficial for teams. A 2005 study by Teresa Lesiuk at the University of Miami found IT specialists who listened to music at work were able to complete tasks faster than those who did not listen to music.

But it's not always a good idea to listen to music at work either. Tom Popomaronis, a columnist for Inc.com, says you should hit pause on your playlist when learning something new. Popomaronis also suggests skipping new songs as they require more attention and can compromise your work.

Do you listen to music while you work? Let us know in the comments below.

Also on HuffPost

Prioritize

9 Ways To Make Your Mornings At Work More Productive

Close
This HuffPost Canada page is maintained as part of an online archive. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.