On: Ask HN: How do you stay focused while programming/working?

[krylon]

It's not exactly new and exciting, but I found that listening to calm, instrumental music helps me focus. Mostly Ambient. If you do not like electronic music, Stars Of The Lid or Bohren & Der Club Of Gore are very much worth checking out.

Also, https://mynoise.net/ has worked wonders for me.

In both cases, it seems that unstructured audio input, like, occupies the parts of my mind that would otherwise distract me.

[westurner → krylon]

> It's not exactly new and exciting, but I found that listening to calm, instrumental music helps me focus. Mostly Ambient.

Same. Lounge, Ambient, Chillout, Chillstep (https://di.fm has a bunch of great streams. SoundCloud and MixCloud have complete replayable sets, too.)

I've heard that videogame soundtracks are designed to not be distracting; to help focus.

[rwnspace → krylon]

For ambient, I really enjoy Taylor Deupree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2hh2hAPyc8

My personal favourite for working (or unwinding or cooking or cutting your toenails), though rhythmic & structured electronica, would be Jan Jelinek's Loop Finding Jazz Records: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hIgBEXuQD8

[Steppschuh → krylon]

You might also enjoy http://chillingvibes.com

It's playing mostly chillstep and slow electronic music with decent or no vocals.

[BigTex420 → krylon]

binaural beats are something similar. They've helped me focus.