Give It a Break: Why You Should Try Working in Silence

I love music. Lo-Fi beats, Pokemon soundtracks, even the occasional Paramore playlist when I need to feel something while working—I’m all for it. Music sets the tone, hypes me up, and keeps things moving. But hear me out: you should try working in silence from time to time.

I’m actually writing this right now in complete silence. No background track. No ambient rain. Just me, the rain outside, and the occasional rooster crow from my neighbor. And surprisingly? I’m locked in. 

From Aavegotchi Official GIPHY

Silence isn’t always the default for productivity. We’ve trained ourselves to associate output with some background noise, thinking it will keep us focused. And in some cases, it does. But a very different type of clarity comes from just muting the world. Without music or any video running in the background, I noticed how aware I am, how I type, and most importantly, how I think. 

From BuzzFeed Official GIPHY

There’s less distraction. Fewer things are pulling you away from your main task. Your mind starts to treat silence as a signal that says, “Hey, we’re in deep work mode now.” This doesn’t mean music or any type of ambient sound is bad. In fact, I’ll be playing some music as I work again later. But like everything, moderation helps. If your mind has been scattered lately, try giving it a rest. Work on something without any form of stimulation and see how your brain responds. 

You might notice sharper focus. You might even finish that one task you’ve been delaying. Or maybe, you’ll just appreciate the sound of silence. It’s not a forever thing, but it could be your moment right now. 

Courtesy Next Upgrade Shop

Noise-cancelling headphones are great for isolating yourself from the world, but you don’t always need to play some music; just use the feature. If you want to achieve that, you can check out the Harman Kardon Fly ANC Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones. Get that productivity boost you need through our Next Upgrade Shop.