Collective responsibility often plays a huge role in productivity. Being among colleagues and co-workers has an almost self-policing effect on concentration levels.

Now, as office workers have been forced to work remotely, many have turned to tech to help keep the mind focused.

From silent Zoom calls to background music, there are a raft of methods aimed at sharpening the mind.

The silent Zoom

Think back to your days of studying. Did you do it better at home or in the library? For many the rules of the library ensured structure. The social shame associated with talking or using your phone meant that it was the perfect place to draw pupils back to the page.

The same logic applied to the growing trend of the silent Zoom. Having a screen full of other people sitting in silence is helping to sharpen the mind. Some students have described them as making study sessions a little more “fun”.

For others, muting Zoom meetings have acted as the perfect environment for a book club. Sitting back reading in the presence of others has the effect of recreating a coffee shop or a library.

Noise-cancelling headphones

Noise cancellation is becoming a more common feature in headphones. They’ve become particularly popular in recent times with more people springing for pairs to block out other noises in their homes.

Some high-end headphones boast “active” noise cancellation or ANC. This technology works by using microphones to read the soundwaves of noise around you and emitting the opposite version of those soundwaves, thus killing any distracting sounds.

The biggest brands in audio often offer such headphones with the Bose Headphones 700 and the Sony WH-1000XM3 among the best out there.

White noise apps

Background noise can often help people concentrate. The din of a coffee shop or the low hum of restaurant can provide just the soundtrack for a productive day.

Coffitivity, an app that offers a combination of “calm and commotion”, aims to inspire both calm and creativity for users. Among its settings are the “morning murmur” and “lunchtime lounge”, which recreates the sounds of cafes. Users can also add in music over the drum of the music if it helps to stay focused.

Elsewhere there are alternatives like White Noise HQ, which provides up to 75 relaxing real-life noises to choose from.

Freedom app

Without bosses and colleagues to keep an eye perhaps you have found yourself wandering onto social media more than you should. Or perhaps an all too frequent glance on online shopping websites?

Apps like Freedom allow users to block entire websites like Sky Sports or Facebook as well as distracting apps. Alternatively it can be set up to block all websites that aren’t the ones needed for work.

Other features include “locked mode”, where the session cannot be unlocked until it has expired and “advanced scheduling” where you can set the strict rules to kick in ahead of time.

Lofi radio stations

For many, music can offer help for some much-needed concentration. Depending on your disposition classical music or lo-fi playlists can prove a useful addition to your makeshift office.

Lo-fi radio stations are wildly popular, with live channels dedicated to relaxed chilled lyricless music. One of the best-known stations is that of YouTube channel ChilledCow, which has 5.22 million subscribers and mixes relaxing animations with laid back music.

Other more recent channels have popped up specifically to address the needs of those stuck in lockdown. One YouTube channel dedicated to actor Will Smith hosts a live “Chill beats to quarantine to” playlist that has already garnered 5.5 million views.

Online exercise classes

Keeping fit in general can be a huge boost to concentration levels. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that online fitness classes are booming.

From yoga to Peloton sessions, there are a vast array of in-home exercises that can help reduce stress and focus the mind on the task at hand.