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Hot and bothered colleagues? Expert reveals the unusual method to relax your co-workers
‘Musical air conditioning’ could be an effective way to cool down colleagues who are feeling the heat – both literally and figuratively
From colleagues’ annual leave to childcare issues and unpredictable office temperatures, summer is heralded as one of the peak times of the year for resignations where stress levels can be running high as summer comes to a close.
Marianne Rizkallah, music therapist for music licensing company PPL PRS, reveals the one unusual method that could help cool down your colleagues’ moods during this difficult period.
According to Marianne, playing music specifically at 60-70BPM (beats per minute) could be the ‘saving grace’ when it comes to reducing office tension.
“When trying to relieve some of the stress in the workplace during summer, music at a slower tempo can have a positive mental and physiological effect. I like to call this method ‘musical air-conditioning’ because music can have a genuine cooling effect on the nervous system by reducing cortisol.
“When you’re in a highly stressed state, your body will respond physiologically and psychologically with brain fog, sweating and increased heart rate, for example – which can impact your wellbeing and productivity during the workday.
“It has been shown that listening to music at 60-70 BPM can reduce these symptoms and return your body back to a relaxed state as your heart rate ‘syncs’ to the slower tempo.”
With colleagues in the office likely having varying music tastes, Marianne advises that it’s best to gauge your colleagues’ tension levels first before you press play on your preferred playlist.
What is the right music to play in the workplace?
She says: “Rarely is there one genre that works for everyone when wanting to feel more relaxed. Choosing music that people enjoy and engage with is far more effective than trying to force enjoyment of one particular genre.”
“If the stress and tension in the office is particularly high, a sudden change in music can invade the mood of the room, with the over-stimulation potentially worsening the stressed atmosphere. A gradual transition into music with a slower tempo is a better method.
“Occasionally allowing input from everyone in the office or just getting updated opinion of the music playing is a great way to ensure the positive, stress-reducing effects are being felt across the workspace.”
Burnout at work
The advice comes after a survey* by PPL PRS of working Brits about their burnout experience revealed that 37% of workers turn to music to help them cope with its effects.
The research also revealed that the main contributors to feeling burnt out at work were a heavy workload (53%), long working hours (46%), unrealistic expectations (34%), lack of recognition (30%) and unfair pressure from leadership (29%).
Those who were surveyed said that burnout impacted their professional life with feelings of frustration (45%), lack of motivation (42%) and feeling undervalued (37%).
Burnout also impacted their personal lives, as respondents said it made them feel anxious (45%) and unable to relax (45%), while more than a third (36%) suffered from headaches as a result.
If you want to implement music in your workplace, then you will probably need TheMusicLicence. Simply fill in our online form to get a quote or call one of our team on 0800 015 5945 for more information.
References:
* A survey commissioned by PPL PRS of 2000 Brits in February 2025.
Author
Marianne Rizkallah
Marianne Rizkallah is PPL PRS’ Music Therapist Expert. She offers expertise on how music therapy affects the brain (specifically how listening to music affects mental wellbeing, both at home and work - from improving mood and motivation, to building relationships).
Marianne praises music for avoiding or alleviating symptoms of more serious mental health conditions like stress and anxiety. She is the Director of North London Music Therapy and Music Therapy Outreach and Enterprise Tutor for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. An experienced music therapist, Marianne has worked with people of all ages, with clinical groups supporting psychosis, dementia, autism and more, and for the NHS, the education sector, the third sector and in private practice.
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Marianne praises music for avoiding or alleviating symptoms of more serious mental health conditions like stress and anxiety. She is the Director of North London Music Therapy and Music Therapy Outreach and Enterprise Tutor for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. An experienced music therapist, Marianne has worked with people of all ages, with clinical groups supporting psychosis, dementia, autism and more, and for the NHS, the education sector, the third sector and in private practice.
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