One in two choose music over coffee to get things done

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A total of 47% of Hong Kong's workforce agree that listening to music can have a positive impact on their mood and significantly help reduce work-related stress, according to a research by Sonos.

One out of three respondents turned to music when they felt stuck and needed inspiration, while half of the interviewees opted for music over coffee when they needed to complete a task.

Music is commonly associated with mood swings. Although 40% of those surveyed revealed that they have laughed or cried unexpectedly when listening to music, a majority (64%) agreed that music was the key that helped them calm down and feel better.

Globally, 74% of participants said music helped reduce stress, while 42% said podcasts also had a relaxing effect.

More than half of the respondents said they felt happier when listening to a favourite song, and a good song also helped boost their mood at work (58%). 52% revealed that they would not be successful at work without music.

“Many people probably aren’t aware of how much they rely on music to regulate their moods throughout the day,” said Daniel Müllensiefen, a professor of music psychology at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

76% said listening to music helped them produce their best work, and that they felt an instant connection with others who have similar taste in music.

"Generally, music can have a strong stimulating effect that makes us alert and focused. There are several studies in scientific literature that show that the right kind of music can enhance the performance on the right kind of task for the right kind of people,” Müllensiefen said.

Human Resources has curated some playlists for different scenarios you might encounter during a typical workday:

9am: A quick morning energy supercharge (rock)

[embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX8FwnYE6PRvL[/embed]

11am: A confidence boost for meetings and presentations (pop)

[embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX4fpCWaHOned[/embed]

2pm: Stay focused at work (indie pop)

[embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX8gDIpdqp1XJ[/embed]

3pm: Beat the after-lunch energy slump (metal)

[embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX1kydukZhLms[/embed]

Any time you want to wallow in self-pity for a moment (indie rock)

[embed]https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX2sUQwD7tbmL[/embed]

Between March 15 and April 5 2019, an online survey gathered insights from over 12,000 people aged between 21 and 50 in 12 countries (The US, Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, China and Australia). Data within countries is balanced across gender and age.