Some people like to work in total silence. Others don't. Music is great, but sometimes even that's too distracting (and forget about podcasts).
For those who need some background noise that won't distract, a white noise machine could be the ticket to an easier workday. Plus, it can mask other bothersome sounds.
"It helps drown out all the outside noise so you can concentrate on your work," says Ross. "I also find some of the sounds the machine produces like rain dropping and waves crashing quite soothing and relaxing, which in turn boosts my focus and productivity."
Searching for "white noise" or 'rain sounds" and similar search terms on YouTube also can work, provided you don't need your speakers for other tasks.