Playing music in the background while we are working,

Among the first stress-fighting changes that take place
when we hear a tune is an increase in deep breathing. The
body's production of serotonin also accelerates.
Playing music in the background while we are working,
seemingly unaware of the music itself, has been found to
reduce the stress of the workplace. That’s why so many
retail places play music while you shop –to take your mind
off the high prices!
Music was found to reduce heart rates and to promote
higher body temperature - an indication of the onset of
relaxation. Combining music with relaxation therapy was
more effective than doing relaxation therapy alone.
Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music
or the beat that has the calming effect on us although we
may not be very conscious about it. They point out that
when we were a baby in our mother's womb, we probably
were influenced by the heart beat of our mother. We
respond to the soothing music at later stages in life, perhaps
associating it with the safe, relaxing, protective environment
provided by our mother.
Music can be one of the most soothing or nerve
wracking experiences available. Choosing what will work for
any individual is difficult, most will choose something they
'like' instead of what might be beneficial.
In doing extensive research on what any given piece of
music produces in the physiological response system many
unexpected things were found. Many of the so-called
meditation and relaxation recordings actually produced
adverse EEG patterns, just as bad as Hard Rock and Heavy
Metal.
The surprising thing was many selections of Celtic,
Native American as well as various music containing loud
drums or flute were extremely soothing. The most profound
finding was any music performed live and even at