Although there can be many types of people who require something in the background while they work, the preference does tend to vary among age groups. For instance, according to 2019 research from Poly, more than half of the Gen Z individuals surveyed said they’re most productive when they’re working around noise in an office, while 60% of Baby Boomers said that they’re most productive when it’s quiet.
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Why Is Background Noise Beneficial to Some People?
“Even when you are relaxing and quietly reading a book, your brain is scanning for subtle noises that might present danger,” she tells Parade. “Imagine how you would react if you suddenly heard a firetruck siren outside, while you are quietly reading a book. The more you pay attention to external stimuli, the more difficult it is to focus.”
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“Since their mind often races, silence can exacerbate their racing thoughts and can bring a lot of unwanted intrusive thoughts to the surface. White noise can help them calm their minds,” she explains.
Dr. Wilson also observes that since people on the autism spectrum tend to be very sensitive to sounds, they may benefit from consistent background noise, like white or brown noise, to mask distracting environmental sounds. But there is a caveat.
And lastly, Dr. Wilson says that people with bipolar disorder who are in the manic state may be more sensitive and can be easily bothered by various noises.
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7 Common Traits of People Who Need Background Noise To Focus, Psychologist Says
2. You’re high-energy
“People who are high-energy and who like to move around as opposed to sitting quietly tend to prefer background noise,” Dr. Wilson says.
If you prefer to have some background noise, you might be a lot more flexible than the average person. As Dr. Wilson says, “People who are flexible tend to be adaptable to various situations, like loud neighbors or living next to a train station. During the time of building their adaptability toolkit, they typically incorporate background noises that tend to block out the unwanted sounds.”
4. You’re a multitasker
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6. You grew up in a loud family
You may have grown up “in a large, loud family,” as Dr. Wilson says, who adds that you may crave a reminder of what feels familiar and comforting and often gravitate to having background noise.
7. You’re afraid to be alone
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“Additionally, some people really benefit from reducing clutter in their work area,” she says. “When the work environment is visually cluttered, it can be visually distracting and can increase anxiety because it may become more difficult to find certain things that you need for your project. Creating a clean, organized desk space can help with mental focus.”
“Sometimes, a change of location can be really helpful,” Dr. Wilson says. “If you find that you cannot concentrate at home because you are easily distracted by certain tasks or people, you may benefit from going to a coffee shop. If the noise starts to bother you, try going to a local library or another quiet location.”
When Background Noise Becomes a Problem
Although background noise can be helpful to many people, there are those times when it actually becomes detrimental to your productivity. You may notice that your need for background noise starts to interfere with your life—it can become a coping mechanism for poor focus, it could throw off your deep focus or the wrong type of noise (i.e. loud rock music) might negatively affect your productivity.
For this, Dr. Wilson advises seeking a mental health consultation.
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Sources:
Lienna Wilson, licensed psychologistPR Newswire/Poly: “Gen Z Says They Are Most Productive When Working Around Noise; Baby Boomers Say "SHHHH!" They Need Quiet to Get Work Done”Hence then, the article about psychologist says if you need background noise to focus you likely have these 7 traits was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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