How Music Can Affect the Worker’s Productivity Case - 275 Words

How Music Can Affect the Worker's Productivity? (Case Study Sample) Content: Type your name hereType your professors name hereType your subject and its code here10th April 2016How Music can affect the workers productivity?Music is basically an art form which has its medium as Sound. It is referred by commoners as harmonies, melodies and so on. Right from the operation theaters to a normal office, right from the cine malls to our very own homes, music is omnipresent. Different genres of music will suit different types of people. For instance, some people like Reggae, some like RB, some like country music, etc., but here, from an overall perspective, we are going to look in detail how music can affect the workers productivity and whether it has a positive or a negative influence in the everyday work life of an individual.Music and its effectsMusic always has vast and profound effects in a humans life. Music, as a concept largely depends on the circumstances. For instance, a smooth flowing slow music may be apt for a yoga studio, whereas for an a erobic dance center, it doesnt. Hence, Music largely influences our mood and behavior and there are certain companies which make huge profit by providing custom-made music CDs for different businesses in order to boost their productivity. For instance, consider the company Muzak which makes a huge profit in this type of business. Like the external circumstances, even the demographic parameter plays a vital role in determining the type of music, which is to be played. Music is also an ever-evolving concept. What our forefathers listened in their eras, simply dont exist anymore. What is in trend now will certainly cease to exist in the forthcoming generations. Now-a-days, Music therapy has evolved as a famous concept wherein, music, especially soothing ones by expert professionals is used to create a therapeutic effect upon an individual in order to create positive effects on the individuals life and thereby solve his/her problems. This therapy incorporates many techniques, right from clinical therapy to reflexology, to create the positive approach in ones life and right now, this concept has been employed in various work strata and is one of the rapidly developing concepts to eliminate both work related and personal stress. In todays world, it had become an unwritten norm that headphones should be allowed in the workspace. For most of the working people, bringing headphones to the office and listening to music, while working, has become a daily habit. Skimming through the playlists anywhere and at anytime, right from country music to pop has become everyones personal habit, literally. With the introduction of open desk environments and computer based disc jockeys and palm sized ipods the whole workplace norm had been rewritten. So, the ultimate question we have now is, does playing music leave a positive or a negative effect (i.e.) whether it boosts and compliments a workers productivity or does it contrarily inhibit ones work based performance, is something we are going to look into via this paper.Recent researches and studies conducted in this sector have proved that music indeed reduces the work based stress and it makes doing the repetitive tasks easier, by lifting our mood and eradicating the somberness we usually experience in work environments. So, ultimately being happy makes one to perform better, paving way for the enhancement. Out of a study, conducted in a Canadian software company, 73% of the population considered for the research reported that playing music in the background enhances the productivity whereas the remaining population reported otherwise. Also, the overall productivity and the positive factor, dipped down a bit, when the music was stopped playing in the background. When tasks with longer duration were given, music was considered as an inevitable means to reduce the existing stress. The next point of consideration is that people complete their allotted tasks more quickly, when they are in a music related environ ment. Apparently, those who work in a silent, stoic environment take longer time to complete. The reason behind this change can be explained as follows. Next, according to the study conducted by the journal of Neuroscience of Behavior and Physiology, a person immaterial of the age, finds repetitive patterns, shapes and images quicker when some music was played in the background, whereas the absence of music, makes the same person to recognize a little bit later. So, we can confidently say that, irrespective of the type of music that is played, it always creates positive impact on the minds of the workers and makes a person to enjoy the repetitive and mundane tasks (Padnani 2012).Basically, the part of our brain, which responds to the music played, belongs to the sector of creative domain (i.e.) the ventral tegmental area and hence listening to a soft music makes us to get synchronized with the work done and with the colleagues in a positive way. Hence, this aspect will strongly crea te a group identity and a positive and healthy relationship with the colleagues. This area is known as the reward system and the Dopamine is strongly associated with this system. The feeling of happiness and pleasure we get out of listening is also associated with Dopamine only. So, in this aspect, Music is bound to keep the creative spark alive.(Cho 2013)Scientifically, it has been reported that an enjoyable and soothing music, releases Dopamine, which is usually aided by doing something delightful and wonderful, thereby making a person feel happy. There is also another viewpoint that if we listen to music via our headphones, it blocks the unnecessary external noises and disturbances, thereby making us concentrate on our task better. This will be more apt in those places, where the work environment will be noisier. So, in those places, staying in the right mood becomes critical. Plugging the headphones in will prevent the constant yapping that is created by these type of environmen ts. Also, these headphones will prevent us from hearing the loud chatters that are inevitable in a work place.In todays work life, most of the people are bound to do repetitive tasks on a regular basis and Music comes handy. Even when boring tasks are ahead, playing music will help to combat the boredom that will exist with these type of mundane works. But, like individual choices, Music also depends on ones interest. What may suit one doesnt really suit for another. Hence, it is best to listen to music via headphones rather than making it blare at a common place in the office, for everyone to hear it. Also, to a certain extent Music with lyrics and newly played music can distract people. While Music with lyrics also activates the language center of the brain and makes us to mouth those lyrics, the music which is getting played for the first time can captivate the curiosity of the listener and it can make the listener to lose their focus on work. Soothing music without lyrics played at a low volume at the background level is bound to have positive effects on oneself and it may even result inducing some creative ideas. Alongside reducing the work stress, music plays an integral part in reducing the boredom that one experiences in the office, as most of the jobs today are confined entirely to the computers. Ultimately, to the listener it gives a feeling of control over his/her aural environment (Taylor 2014).Let us imagine ourselves wherein we are standing in a queue for long hours. The stress and the impatience that will be created in our minds will be reduced if any music, even if it is inconsequential, is played. The reason is simple: It distracts us. It helps us ease out the tension that exists in a queue. Here, momentary distraction is the key and music does th...

What are PEDs - Free Essay Example

What are PEDs? Performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) are used to increase performance activity. They are widely known from their usage in sports for the increase of performance. They are also used to treat immune system disorders and inflammation. Different types are: Anabolic steroids, Androstenedione, Human Growth hormone, Erythropoietin, Diuretics, Creatine, Stimulants. The usage of steroids by athletes has lead to the making of designer steroids; these are made to be undetectable in drug tests. Although lots of athletes have been caught even after these existed. This resulted in cheating scandals, athletes being banned, and stripped of their titles. Along with this comes the negative side effects even after these athletes are forced to stop using them. Anabolic Steroids Anabolic steroids is a drug that increases the amount testosterone produced in humans. They are usually taken orally, injected into a muscle, or used in a topical gel or patch. Short term effects can lead to mental issues such as: paranoia, irritability, impaired judgement, delusions, and violent behavior. Long term effects include kidney, heart, and liver damage. The abuse of these steroids can also lead to a significant change in mood and behavior because of the change in the amount of chemicals released in the brain. Many who abuse anabolic steroids will use them in cycles. They go on and off them to try to avoid side effects, although there are still long-term risks from this. Also injecting anabolic steroids increases the risk of coming in contact with blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B and C. Several reports have described men with little or no apparent history of violence or criminal behavior prior to [steroid] use who committed murder or attempted murder while using [steroids]. (Kanayama, 2010) HGH Human Growth hormones are produced in the pituitary gland which prompts growth in children and adults. They are used to increase muscle mass, bone growth and decrease adipose tissue. Synthetic human growth hormones were developed in 1985 and shortly after approved by FDA for uses in children and adults. They are only used through injection which must be prescribed. The most common usage for them are not FDA approved are used along with other PEDs to increase athletic performance. Negative effects of abuse of this steroid is edema (build up of fluid inside your body), joint pain, and muscle weakness. Human growth hormone s and growth factors are banned by WADA (World Doping Agency). Erythropoietin Erythropoietin is originally used to treat anemia, but it is used commonly now to increase the oxygen carried from your lungs to the rest of your body. It is a chemical released from your kidneys, and promotes the production of red blood cells. This specific type of hormone increases the excretion of water from the body which in turn cleans out the body. It is an extremely dangerous diuretic; it can lead to dehydration, strokes, heart attacks, and death. Diuretics Diuretics also known as water pills are used to help people lose weight, pass drug tests, and also to lower your blood pressure. They change our bodies natural water and salt levels by releasing it in urine. The total fluid in our blood vessels decrease therefore decreasing our blood pressure making it easier for our heart to pump. Negative side effects of this drug are: dizziness, dehydration, fainting spells, and a potassium deficiency. Creatine Creatine is one of the more commons drugs used because it is over the counter. It is an amino acid found in muscles and the brain, but it is now made synthetically and to help energy released from muscles, increase muscle mass, and enhance exercise performance. Abuse of the drug can lead to kidney problems and liver damage, also stomach and muscle cramps, nausea, and weight gain (if not used in high intensity workouts). Stimulants They work on the central nervous system to to increase alertness, reduce fatigue, and increase competitiveness, aggressiveness, and concentration. Different types of stimulants are amphetamine, caffeine, cocaine, diet pills, methamphetamine, and ritalin. All of these can be taken orally, snorted, injected, or smoked. Short term effects include an immediate exhaustion and depression (the down that follows the up). This can lead to the user wanting more (addiction), which is one of the results of larger doses over a short period of time. Long term effects may result in hostility, paranoia, fever, and irregular heartbeat. Other Side effects include: increase in blood pressure and heart rate, heart attacks, strokes, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and tremor. In the USA, the National Collegiate Athletic Association acknowledged that the number of student athletes testing positive for stimulant medications has increased three-fold in recent years Designer steroids A specific type of Anabolic Steroid which is called designer drugs. These are synthetic steroids that were created to be of the same use as testosterone while being undetectable in drug tests. They were made for athletes to be able to use steroids for an increase in performance without getting caught because they have not been approved or tested by FDA (Federal Drug administration) and are very dangerous. The effects of these steroids are similar to the negative effects of anabolic steroids, although can much worse because of the risk of taking non FDA approved drugs. Usage of steroids in athletes Steroid use among athlete has become a recognized and continuing issue in sports today. There has been an increase in usage in high school, college, and professional athletes; along with this is an increase in drug-related deaths. Dwain Chambers, Marion Jones, Lance Armstrong, and Justin Gatlin are some of the many athletes caught and banned from competing due to their use of steroids. The publics concern for athletes usage of steroids has rendered to mass media attention, and tougher laws for their use and distribution. Athletes cheating scandals in the olympics Tyson Gay won a silver medal at the 2012 olympics in track and field. He also had the second-fastest time in the 100-meter dash with a 9.69-second run in 2009 at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix. In 2013 he test positive for a banned substance and was banned from the sport for a year and stripped of his silver Olympic medal. Rashid Ramzi received a gold medal in track and field (1500m) in the summer olympics in Beijing China in 2008. Soon after he tested positive for a blood-boosting substance CERA (and was stripped of his medal. Manny Ramirez was playing for the LA dodgers and was suspended for 50 games in 2009 for using human chorionic gonadotropin (which increases the production of testosterone). Early in 2011 while playing for the rays after only 5 games, Ramirez violated the drug policy again and faced a 100-game ban. Instead he retired; but by the end of the season he asked to be reinstated. He then completed a 50-game ban and the following year played for the Oakland Athletics. He was also one of the 104 players that tested positive in the 2003 MLB survey for performance-enhancing drugs. This was before the league had a drug policy and or executed punishments for P.E.D. use. Effects of the immediate stop of steroid usage Immediately after stopping steroids, you lose about 20-50% of muscle mass that was gained during. After a 12-week cycle on testosterone, there will still be extra weight 6 months later. Everything begins to normalize in your body quickly such as acne, and the production of testosterone. Although in men their sexual drive worsens. There is an increased future risk of heart attack, stroke, and baldness. Some are able to minimize these long term negative effects by taking HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), which is prescribed for pregnancy so therefor it is illegal and dangerous. It increases the start of production of testosterone quicker than normal. Medically Prescribed Steroids Steroids are synthetic drugs that are similar to cortisol (a hormone that your body produces naturally). Steroids work by decreasing inflammation and reducing our immune systems activity. Examples of corticosteroids medications are triamcinolone, cortisone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone. In certain diseases such as: systemic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) and myositis (inflammation of muscle) rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogrens syndrome, or gout.); the bodys immune system doesnt work properly. This causes inflammation and tissue damage. Steroids reduce the overactivity of the immune system which intake reduces the production of inflammatory chemicals to minimize tissue damage. When the inflammation is threatening enough to damage organs, steroids can be life-saving. For example, people who have lupus or vasculitis may help prevent the progression of kidney inflammation, this can lead to kidney failure. Therefore steroid therapy can eliminate the need for kidney dia lysis or transplant. They can be given as a topical treatment, orally or by injection. When injected, they are put directly into a vein or muscle. Or directly into a joint or bursa in order to lubricate between certain tendons, bones, and or soft tissue areas. They are injected into one or two areas of inflammation which allows for larger dosages; this way the amount given is accurate. Unlike when steroids are given by mouth or IV, which would cause a higher risk of side effects. These low dosages provides significant relief from pain and stiffness for conditions similar to and including rheumatoid arthritis.