#Note/Permanent #Cognition/MentalFatigue/Mitigation #Sensation/Music Listening to relaxing music has been shown to effectively reduce mental fatigue and improve cognitive performance. To use music as a mental fatigue mitigation method, consider the following guidelines: ##### When to use: - Listen to relaxing music during mentally demanding tasks or when you start to feel mentally fatigued. - Incorporate music into your work or study routine to maintain motivation and reduce the effects of mental fatigue. ##### How to use: - Choose instrumental folk music with a tempo of 60-80 beats per minute, which has been shown to alleviate mental fatigue.[^1] - Use headphones or speakers to listen to music at a comfortable volume (e.g., 40dB) while working or studying.[^1] - Experiment with different genres, tempos, and styles to find the most effective music for your needs. > [!info] Personal Tip > You can create a playlist of instrumental folk music with a tempo of 60-80 beats per minute that you find relaxing and enjoyable.[^1] You can also choose music that you personally like, as it has been shown to be effective in reducing mental fatigue, just make sure that when you listen to them, you feel emotionally uplifted.[^2]Update the playlist regularly to keep it fresh and effective in combating mental fatigue. Consider using noise-cancelling headphones, which can help you maintain the effectiveness of the music at lower volumes by reducing environmental noise. ##### Effects on mental fatigue: - Reduces subjective feelings of mental fatigue, such as distraction, anxiety, irritability, sleepiness, and lack of confidence.[^1] - Maintains reaction time and prevents performance deterioration on cognitive tasks.[^1] - Improves brain functions related to attention and response control during mentally fatiguing tasks. Specifically, research has shown that listening to relaxing music leads to increased brain activity associated with better attention to important stimuli ([Go](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go/no-go#Psychology)-[P3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P300_(neuroscience)) amplitudes) and improved ability to inhibit inappropriate responses ([NoGo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go/no-go#Psychology)-[P3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P300_(neuroscience)) amplitudes).[^1] ##### Duration of effects: - The beneficial effects of music on mental fatigue can be experienced immediately upon exposure and may last for the duration of the listening session.[^1] - Regularly incorporating music into your routine may help to sustain the positive effects on mental fatigue over time. ##### Potential side effects: - Listening to music at high volumes for extended periods may lead to hearing damage or fatigue. - Some individuals may find certain types of music distracting or disruptive to their concentration, particularly when engaging in complex tasks. - If you experience any discomfort or distraction while listening to music during mentally demanding tasks, adjust the volume, change the music selection, or consider alternative mental fatigue mitigation methods. [^1]: [Guo, W., Ren, J., Wang, B., & Zhu, Q. (2015). Effects of relaxing music on mental fatigue induced by a continuous performance task: behavioral and ERPs evidence. _PloS one_, _10_(8), e0136446.](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0136446) [^2]: [Jacquet, T., Poulin-Charronnat, B., Bard, P., Perra, J., & Lepers, R. (2021). Physical activity and music to counteract mental fatigue. _Neuroscience_, _478_, 75-88.](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.09.019)