Come spring and warm weather, our mood elevates. Freedom is around the corner.
This means Red Rocks concerts, outdoor movie screenings, white water rafting, al fresco dining and lighted skies past 8 p.m. But classes are not close to being out yet.
When springtime weather and social activities enticingly call for attention, how can we maintain our focus on academic, theatrical or athletic achievement to maximize the four short years of college? Through music, of course.
By now, most of us know what study aids facilitate our ability to get work done. Some of us have to study alone in our apartment, dorm room or library carrel. Others need the company of friends or the bustle of our favorite coffee shop to stimulate intellectual prowess.
Accompanying the ideal environment is the inclusion or omission of music, be it classical, country, acoustic or pop. Similarly, most performers have a pump-up song or locker-room mix which triggers an optimal performance mindset.
A recent psychological study in the Journal of Music Therapy researched the effects of percussion music on the mood, level of relaxation and listener focus.
While the conclusion that music can affect our mood may not be revolutionary, the study also showed a mere 30-second exposure to musical selections can have a significant effect on our mood, our level of relaxation, energy and focus, depending on the type and pace of the selection.
Participants were also asked to guess the intended effect of the selection from these three options: clarity, intended to increase focus; serenity, intended to relax and increase relaxation; or vitality, intended to raise energy level and increase heart rate.
The take-home message? Carefully select your music to induce a desired mood, energy level and intensity of focus.
We all have our favorite pump-up songs, but have you thought carefully about a quality study playlist?
If you are freaking out about a major paper due tomorrow at 8 a.m., you can use music to calm you down and increase focus to get the paper done.
For more information, stay tuned. Pun intended.
Kirsten Allen is a graduate student at DU’s graduate school of professional psychology. She writes through the Center for Performance Excellence (CPEX) program, which is dedicated to enhancing the performance and quality of life of those persons who seek personal excellence and commitment.
