The science of picking the right music at work

New York

HEADPHONES at work are more than just a universal "Do Not Disturb" sign: They're a must-have accessory for those squeezing as much productivity as possible out of the day. An extensive body of research shows what headphone wearers have known for years: When wielded the right way, music and noise can increase your output and make the workday go by faster.

Research dating back decades has shown that listening to music can make repetitive boring tasks more enjoyable - and make workers tackling these tasks more productive. I…