Latest news with #FriederikeFabritius
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Slash your stress by 65% — and in just 8 minutes — with this dreamy fix to ‘calm your brain,' neurologist says
Take aurally. Turns out the ultimate anxiety remedy may not be in your medicine cabinet — but on Spotify. An eight-minute ambient track called 'Weightless' by British band Marconi Union is being hailed as the musical equivalent of a chill pill. 3 The track, 'Weightless' by Marconi Union (above) — cooked up with sound therapists to melt stress — actually works, according to science. Just Music The song was actually designed to de-stress listeners — and science says it works. In a study by Mindlab International, participants tasked with solving complex puzzles while wearing biometric sensors experienced a staggering 65% drop in anxiety when 'Weightless,' originally released in 2014, played. 'Unlike most songs, it was composed in collaboration with sound therapists, with the [primary] purpose of slowing down the body's stress response,' Dr. Steven Allder, consulting neurologist at Re:Cognition Health, told Parade in a recent interview. The trippy tune starts at 60 beats per minute — the average resting heart rate — and gradually slows to 50, syncing with your body's rhythm like a lullaby for your nervous system. 'This subtle deceleration encourages a process known as entrainment, where the listener's heart rate and breathing naturally begin to match the tempo of the music, a physiological shift that supports relaxation,' Allder explained. 3 It's no shock this chill track 'Weightless' has become the anthem of relaxation — no pounding beats or sob stories here, just pure ear candy for the anxious soul. Moon Safari – It's no wonder the tune has become the poster child for musical stress relief. Unlike gym bangers or heartbreak ballads, this song goes easy on your eardrums. 'Weightless also features no sharp or abrupt transitions in rhythm, tone or volume,' Allder said. 'By avoiding these fluctuations, 'Weightless' maintains a constant auditory landscape, which promotes calm and reduces mental stimulation.' In other words: It's the anti-EDM. The 'Weightless' craze joins a growing body of research showing music can do everything from sharpen focus to soften pain — if you hit the right notes. For those looking to get in the zone rather than out of their head, neuroscientist Friederike Fabritius swears by Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Goldberg Variations.' 'When I have to focus, I always listen to [that] same song and I instantly get into flow,' Fabritius told Parade in a previous interview. Her hack: train your brain to associate one tune with deep work — Pavlov, meet Spotify. 3 Trying to focus, not freak out? Brain expert Friederike Fabritius says Bach's 'Goldberg Variations' hits the sweet spot for getting in the zone. Tomasz Zajda – Classical music is a smart bet for study tunes, Dr. Erin Hannon of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, also told the outlet. She recommends tracks with 'a slow to moderate tempo, with moderately predictable pitch and rhythmic structure and lower levels of chaotic noise and dissonance, such as screaming.' Dr. Christina Agvent added in a previous study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of online university CSU Global that 'listening to music while studying can be an extremely helpful tool for some students in improving their focus,' especially among younger listeners — nearly 60% of Gen Z students say they plug in to study. And it's not just your mind that benefits. Music might also help turn down the volume on physical pain. In a recent McGill University study, participants reported lower pain levels when listening to tunes set to their own natural rhythm. So whether you're grinding through emails or gritting through aches, one thing's clear: the right beat can hit a lot harder than Advil. As Caroline Palmer of McGill put it, 'soothing or relaxing music works best as a pain reliever' — and tempo may be the secret sauce. Consider it doctor's orders: press play and chill out.
New York Post
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Neuroscientist says this surprising hack can help you instantly focus — and it's not what you think
Bach to the future: Neuroscientist says a centuries-old classical tune could be the secret to crushing your to-do list. To instantly get in the zone, Friederike Fabritius, MS, author of 'The Brain-Friendly Workplace,' swears by listening to 'Goldberg Variations.' The hour-and-a-half-long 1741 classical piece by Johann Sebastian Bach has been her go-to concentration hack for decades. Advertisement 'When I have to focus, I always listen to [that] same song and I instantly get into flow,' Fabritius told Parade in a recent interview. 3 To instantly get in the zone, Friederike Fabritius, MS, author of 'The Brain-Friendly Workplace,' swears by listening to 'Goldberg Variations.' pixelrobot – 'You can actually condition your brain to get into flow and focus by always listening to the same music when you want to focus. It creates a ritual for your brain and a very strong connection.' Advertisement Fabritius' strategy is simple: play the same music every time you need to concentrate, and your brain will learn to associate those first few notes with 'time to focus.' But is Bach really the best study buddy? According to Dr. Erin Hannon, a psychology professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, classical music is a solid choice — but it's not the only option. Hannon told Parade that she recommends music with a 'slow to moderate tempo, with moderately predictable pitch and rhythmic structure and lower levels of chaotic noise and dissonance, such as screaming.' Advertisement 3 Fabritius' focus hack is a no-brainer: Hit play on the same tune every time you need to buckle down, and your brain will get the memo. Pixel-Shot – In other words, the less chaotic the tune, the easier it is to stay on task. But what works for one person might not work for another. Hannon also pointed out that music's impact on mood and focus can be different for everyone, and 'there is probably no one genre of music that can help with focus' for all of us. Advertisement A 2022 survey backs that up. According to the survey by OnePoll on behalf of CSU Global, people who listen to music while studying were more likely to have a GPA above 3.2. 'Listening to music while studying can be an extremely helpful tool for some students in improving their focus,' said Dr. Christina Agvent, program director of teaching and learning at CSU Global. 3 A study by OnePoll for CSU Global found that students who crank up the tunes while studying are more likely to hit a GPA over 3.2. Tomasz Zajda – The report also found that younger students were more likely to plug in their earbuds while studying — 58% of 18- to 25-year-olds said they listen to music while studying, compared to just 41% of those aged 58 to 76. And it's not all classical. Respondents named 'Riverside' by Agnes Obel and Drake's 'God's Plan' among their favorite study jams. For Fabritius, though, Bach's 'Goldberg Variations' is the ultimate focus anthem. Advertisement 'You should not listen to loud, busy disco or techno music,' she said. 'Classical music that's soothing and peaceful — hopefully without lyrics — supports focus rather than something that can additionally distract you.' So the next time you're struggling to concentrate, maybe forget the pop hits and give Bach a shot.
Forbes
18-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Focus As A Leadership Skill: The Pros And Cons Of Multitasking At Work
Focus As A Leadership Skill: The Pros And Cons Of Multitasking At Work In today's always-on workplace, one of the most overlooked leadership skills is focus. With attention spans shrinking and expectations growing, many leaders are being pulled in too many directions at once. According to a 2022 study from the University of California, Irvine, the average worker switches tasks every three minutes, and it can take up to 23 minutes to fully regain focus after each interruption. This environment encourages constant context switching and multitasking, often at the expense of deep work and strategic thinking. But, is multitasking always a bad thing? Multitasking gets a bad reputation. It is frequently blamed for everything from poor memory to low-quality output. But in many workplaces, multitasking is not only expected, it is rewarded. And in some cases, it works. I know this firsthand. When I worked as an account executive for a bank, I was expected to make a high volume of sales calls every day. The company measured not just the number of calls, but how long I spent on the phone. I found that if I typed my notes as I spoke with each customer, I could both document details in real time and hit my call time targets. Some might call it attention switching. I thought of it as practical multitasking. And it helped me win awards. Research shows that this type of multitasking, typing while talking, is more accurately described as dual-task processing. Because note-taking was a highly practiced skill, it did not take my attention away from the real-time conversation. It allowed me to reinforce memory and avoid duplicating effort. This highlights a valuable distinction: not all multitasking is created equal. Why Multitasking At Work Has A Bad Reputation Multitasking has been criticized by neuroscientists and productivity experts for years. Studies have shown that switching between tasks can lead to cognitive overload, reduced efficiency, and more mistakes. Dr. Daniel Levitin, author of The Organized Mind, has explained that task switching burns through the brain's glucose-based energy supply and causes mental fatigue. This kind of multitasking, trying to juggle multiple unrelated tasks simultaneously, can decrease productivity by up to 40%, according to research cited by the American Psychological Association. But not all multitasking is the same. Context matters. So does the nature of the task and the individual's mental framework. Some types of multitasking are more about flow and integration, while others are more disruptive. When Multitasking Works: Routine Tasks And Cognitive Pairing In some situations, multitasking can actually improve efficiency. Dr. Friederike Fabritius, a neuroscientist and author I interviewed, emphasized the importance of understanding how the brain processes information. She explained that pairing a routine task with a cognitive one can help manage energy and attention. For example, listening to a podcast while organizing files or walking during a meeting can enhance mental engagement. This aligns with what some call 'background multitasking,' where a low-effort, low-focus task runs alongside a more demanding one. These combinations allow people to use their time more strategically without overloading their brain. The Cost Of Poorly Managed Multitasking In Leadership The real danger of multitasking shows up when leaders take on too many high-focus tasks at once. It dilutes presence and weakens judgment. Dr. Frances Frei, a Harvard Business School professor I interviewed, noted that trust in leadership begins with presence. If a leader appears distracted, employees often interpret that as disinterest or dismissal, even if the leader believes they are being efficient. When multitasking prevents leaders from being fully engaged in conversations, problem solving, or decision making, the result is a disconnect. It affects not only outcomes but relationships. Multitasking, Attention Switching, And Energy Drain At Work The difference between multitasking and attention switching is subtle but important. Dr. Daniel Z. Lieberman, a psychiatrist and author of The Molecule of More, explained when I interviewed him how dopamine drives our desire for novelty. The brain enjoys the thrill of switching tasks, but it comes at a cost. Every switch uses up cognitive resources. This is why people often feel exhausted after a day filled with interruptions, even if the total workload was manageable. It is not just the number of tasks, but how fragmented the experience felt. What Leaders Can Do To Set Better Boundaries Around Multitasking And Focus Leaders set the tone for how focus is valued, or devalued, on their teams. If leaders are constantly checking their phones in meetings, responding to emails mid-conversation, or accepting every calendar invite, they model distraction. When I interviewed Stephen White, Chief Operating Officer of Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas, he emphasized that creating space for focus is one of the most undervalued habits in leadership. He recommended leaders 'create clarity by protecting time for thinking, not just doing.' That includes carving out meeting-free hours, encouraging asynchronous communication when possible, and reinforcing that deep work matters. Multitasking Vs. Being Efficient: How To Know The Difference Being able to juggle multiple responsibilities is often seen as a strength. But there is a difference between being adaptable and being scattered. When leaders try to solve every problem at once or jump from meeting to meeting without reflection, they are more likely to react than respond. To assess whether multitasking is helping or hurting, leaders can ask: How To Lead With Focus In A Multitasking Environment Modern workplaces are not designed for singular focus. Between Slack notifications, back-to-back meetings, and digital overload, leaders must learn to manage, not eliminate, multitasking. Dr. Adam Alter, who I interviewed about technology addiction, emphasized that managing digital distractions requires intention. He recommended creating tech boundaries, like setting specific times to check email and disabling nonessential notifications. These micro-adjustments protect attention and reduce the cognitive tax of constant switching. Leaders can improve by: The Leadership Advantage Of Strategic Multitasking The reality is, some multitasking is inevitable. Leaders wear many hats and juggle competing priorities. The key is to approach multitasking strategically, not reflexively. Knowing when it adds value and when it diminishes it is essential. By embracing intentional multitasking, where compatible tasks are paired with purpose, leaders can boost efficiency without losing clarity. But when every ping, task, and conversation is treated as equal, leadership becomes reactive. The best leaders know how to toggle between modes: when to integrate, when to sequence, and when to stop everything and focus. Multitasking And Focus Are Both Essential When Used Intentionally Multitasking is part of modern leadership, but it should be a conscious choice, not a knee-jerk reflex. When leaders understand how their attention works, they can use it more effectively, without sacrificing quality or connection. Some multitasking can support productivity, especially when it involves pairing practiced habits with active thinking. But it must have boundaries. The best leaders know when to slow down, give something their full attention, and guide their teams with intention.
