If you’ve seen Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, then you know that the dwarfs love to whistle while they work. Have you ever thought about how whistling while you work can actually help you? There are scientific reasons why whistling or listening to music helps people perform better.

I realize that you may not work in a place that is conducive to whistling while you work, but everyone still works at home, right? Whether you’re cleaning or doing yard work, whistling while you work can help you work better. 

Scientific reasons to try whistling while you work

A study was done to look at the reasons why people who are under the stress of a demanding task ultimately “choke,” or fail miserably. This study showed that the mind can easily be overwhelmed with the idea of the task and its implications, producing a phenomenon known as “paralysis by analysis.” Essentially, we can overload our minds so much with pressure to perform well that we end up blowing it. A football kicker faced with a kick that could win or lose the game and chokes on the kick is a good example of this phenomenon.

So what does whistling while you work do? Whistling is one way to distract your brain from the pressure to perform. Tasks often go better when we don’t over think them. Have you found this to be true in your own life? I have!

Try whistling while you work to promote positivity

You may not actually love your job, but whistling while you work can trick your brain {and others} into thinking that you do. This promotes positivity. Why should you try to promote positivity about work?

• A positive attitude contributes to your overall success.
• Positivity makes you a more pleasant co-worker.
• Tough decisions are easier to make when you have a positive outlook.
• You might help others around you to be more positive!

Try whistling while you work…seriously! If you can’t physically whistle at work, try listening to music. Check out our post with tips to keep you upbeat throughout your day. What have you got to lose?