These Are the Most Distracting Holiday Songs, According to Experts

Working during the lead up to the holidays can be tricky. On one hand, it’s the busiest time of year for many companies, but you’re also feeling ready to wind down ready for the celebrations.

Whether you’re working from home or in the office, enjoying a little holiday music while you complete your tasks is a great way to bring a little bit of festive joy into your workday. However, not all Christmas music is made equal, and some songs may actually prove to be a hinderance and slow down your productivity.

To find out the most distracting holiday songs, experts at project management software company Workamajig have analyzed the BPM of the most played holiday songs to determine those that are the most distracting and which songs can actually help maintain focus throughout the festive season. Bear in mind, a scientific study has found that songs with 50-80 beats per minute (BPM) are considered to be the best for productivity.

“While the holiday season is often filled with joyful experiences, it can be stressful for those fighting distractions and managing dozens of tasks during the holiday rush,” Esther Cohen, a spokesperson for Workamajig, told Apartment Therapy. “Disruptions will hurt your productivity, and according to a University of California-Irvine study, workers, on average, take 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to work after a disruption. Furthermore, you may be inclined to work faster to make up for the lost time, making you feel more stressed and liable to make mistakes.”

Below, the five most distracting holiday songs, along with five that may give you a boost of motivation.

5. “Caroling, Caroling” by Nat King Cole, 185 BPM

4. “Santa Tell Me” by Ariana Grande, 192 BPM

3. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams, 202 BPM

2. “The Happiest Christmas Tree” by Nat King Cole, 206 BPM

1.”Mele Kalikimaka” by Bing Crosby, 208 BPM

5. “O Christmas Tree” by Tony Bennett, 74 BPM

4. “Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season” by Andy Williams, 74 BPM

3. “Silver Bells” by Bing Crosby, 71 BPM

2. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee, 67 BPM

1. “Carol of the Bells” by Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych, 47 BPM