Fighting (YouTube) Music Addiction?

I’ve been using brain.fm and found it’s perfect background music for programming. I actually feel more productive when I use it

Probably the same way you fight any addiction - you either starve it out or replace it with something that doesn't hurt your performance.

Do you listen to music with lyrics? Replacing it with ambient music with no words and no distinctive melody could be one solution.

Or, in my opinion, a better solution would be to dig deeper and to find out why silence causes you anxiety and discomfort. For hundreds of thousands of years people have worked in complete silence. Are you mentally avoiding something?

"Peaceful Piano" playlist on Spotify. Classical music is great at fading into the background.

Additionally, look into symptoms of adult ADHD. The problem may be larger than not having music, your brain may be constantly craving stimulation that can never be fully satiated.

Definitely not encouraging meds, but there is a world of coping mechanisms that you could put in place to help you focus.

Have you tried meditating? Going for a walk?

Do things to practice being alone with your own thoughts, and when you do, don't identify with them just... observe.

I have this problem as well. I tend to get sucked down a hole of music videos or following particular artists I like and a few clicks turns into an hour or three wasted.

I tried cutting out music/youtube entirely but I feel odd without music. I tried using ear plugs instead, and it kind of helps just having something in my ears. I still have no perfect solution.

What exactly is the problem?

Music is great--doesn't matter whether YouTube or otherwise. Do what's good for your mental health

I focus better listening to musicforprogramming.net on a low volume for background noise.

Try ambient and drone music.