Don't Let Music Overload Your Multitasking Brain

The New York Times reports today on the toll that the trend towards multitasking is taking on brain performance. In a world of cell phones, instant messaging, e-mails, and multi-windowed browsers bringing millions of web sites to your desktop, serious brainwork has to squeeze in edgewise. Don't let your iPod (or other music playback device) become part of the problem.

As the Times correctly reports, music with lyrics can interfere with cognitive processing for certain tasks. So can music that is too complex, loud, or emotional, and music that you don't like. When you listen to demanding or disturbing music while also trying to think, read, or learn, you create what scientists call a dual task paradigm. You can just call it a distraction. This effect can be more pronounced when listening over headphones -- so with the wrong playlist, your iPod could make you more prone to mistakes and less efficient.

On the other hand, the right kind of music can actually help you concentrate, by blocking out other distractors and generating alpha brain waves. Just reverse the checklist above -- choose instrumental music (no lyrics) with steady pace and volume. Make sure the sound pleases you without demanding your attention. Dial down the volume until the music melts into the background and your thought process takes center stage.

• Pick: Vivaldi's Guitar Concertos are a great counter to information overload -- and all the better when performed by the legendary Romero brothers and on sale at amazon!