For the final article of the year, let's have some fun with a not-so-serious topic: how holiday music affects productivity at work. Some tunes can keep your team in the zone while spreading seasonal cheer. Others might make everyone more focused on cookies than on deadlines.

Songs That Can Boost Productivity

Music with a relaxed, steady rhythm can help your team stay in the zone while still enjoying holiday spirit. These tracks fall into a beats‑per‑minute (BTM) range of 67-79, supporting calm and concentration at work.

• “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee
• “Silver Bells” by Bing Crosby
• “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Brett Eldredge
• “O Christmas Tree” by Tony Bennett
• “Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season” by Andy Williams
• “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” by Sam Smith
• “Frosty The Snowman” by Ella Fitzgerald
• “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues
• “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)” by Nat King Cole
• “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” by Elvis

Songs That Might Hurt Productivity

Contrary to what you might think, high‑tempo songs above 150 BPM tend to spike energy and stress responses. When the rhythm speeds up too much, it can pull attention away from deep work. Songs topping the productivity killers include:

• “Last Christmas” by Ariana Grande
• “The Happiest Christmas Tree” by Nat King Cole
• “Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby
• “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams
• “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande
• “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” by Trans‑Siberian Orchestra
• “Caroling, Caroling” by Nat King Cole
• “Christmas Dream” by Perry Como
• “This Christmas” by Christina Aguilera
• “Please Come Home for Christmas” by The Eagles

For those working over the holiday weeks, here is a holiday Spotify playlist that won’t let your productivity faulter. Happy holidays!

Source: EBN