- Key Insight: Learn how office holiday music tempo silently reshapes end‑of‑year employee productivity.
- What's at Stake: Poorly curated playlists could escalate stress, impair deadlines and workforce well‑being.
- Supporting Data: Google searches for "Christmas playlist 2025" jumped 550% in one week.
- Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review
As year-end deadlines
"The end of the year is an especially demanding time for many professionals," Amanda Augustine, a CPCC career expert for TopResume, said in a release. "Between wrapping up projects, juggling tighter deadlines, managing holiday commitments at home, and navigating the colder weather and shorter days, it's easy for stress levels to creep up. That's why it's so important to create a festive atmosphere at work that doesn't sacrifice anyone's focus."
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For benefits leaders focused on supporting workforce well-being, small environmental factors — even something as simple as background music —
Fast-tempo favorites are the surprise productivity saboteurs
The study found that songs with a BPM above 150 can elevate stress responses and make task switching more difficult — the opposite of what employees need during the busy close of the calendar year. Taking the top spot as the season's biggest distraction: Ariana Grande's "Last Christmas," which clocks in at a staggering 206 BPM, more than triple the recommended tempo for focused work. High-energy classics like Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka," Andy Williams' "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and Ariana Grande's "Santa Tell Me" also ranked among the most disruptive.
Low-BPM classics offer a productivity boost
On the flip side, nostalgic mid-century standards dominated the list of productivity-friendly songs. Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" topped the list with a mellow 67 BPM — squarely within the optimal 60–80 BPM range for cognitive focus. Nat King Cole, Whitney Houston, Vince Guaraldi Trio, and Ella Fitzgerald also featured prominently on the "best for focus" list, offering soothing rhythms
Year-end pressures — from shorter days and tighter deadlines to increased personal obligations — make it essential for employers to create a work environment that eases, rather than heightens, employee stress. Employers can set designated hours for festive or high-energy music to avoid all-day overstimulation and introduce daily "quiet blocks," such as 9–11 a.m., to support deep focus.
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In work areas where concentration is critical, instrumental holiday playlists can preserve ambiance while minimizing cognitive load. Providing noise-canceling headphones for those who prefer a quieter environment could also help during a festive season.
As organizations work to close the year strong while also maintaining employee morale, attention to sensory details like music can meaningfully support well-being. Curating intentional holiday playlists — or simply moderating the tempo of shared spaces — gives HR and benefits leaders another simple, human-centered tool to reduce stress and support productivity during the busiest time of the year.
"Finding that balance between bringing a little holiday cheer into the office without adding unnecessary distractions can make a big difference," Augustine said. "Even small adjustments to the soundtrack in shared spaces can help keep the final work weeks of 2025 feeling merry and bright."
