The sounds of nature to increase labor productivity and improve mood




Photo: Thomas Shahan i>

Playing natural sounds of nature, like the sound of running water may increase the mood of employees and improve their cognitive abilities. In addition, it increases the private conversation, as they become more difficult to eavesdrop on stranger. To such conclusions scientists came from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA), which We examined the effects of natural sounds in the office staff.

Scientists point out that more and more open-plan offices are using the system sound masking. For example, they include quiet background "white noise", so that at a certain distance human speech becomes indistinguishable. This is believed to reduce the number of distractions and helps employees to better focus on the job.

"If you approach close to someone, you can understand it. But as soon as you move away, it is obstructed by the masking signal "- explains Jonas Brush (Jonas Braasch), a specialist in acoustics and musicologist from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Brush with colleagues Now check whether the sounds of nature to provide the same quality of masking white noise. The first results of the study show that this is so.

In an experiment conducted by the 12 subjects were asked to perform tasks that require concentration. In the background the sound heard three different compositions: 1) the noise of the office with the usual random electronic signals; 2) the noise of the office with the "natural" disguise; 3) office without masking noise.

As a "natural" sound of the selected sound of flowing water in a mountain stream. This is the sound with a fairly random characteristics, so as not to distract the staff and not be intrusive. Randomness is the key characteristic in the choice of sound masking.

The experiment showed quite encouraging results. Also effective camouflage, have revealed a number of natural sounds pleasant side effects mentioned above: to improve mood and increase cognitive abilities. All this leads to an increase in employee productivity.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/250708/

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