Defeating the Earworm

The stubbornness of an earworm comes from idle mental space, so the best fixes give that space a job. A verbal task works well: solving anagrams, reading a novel, or chatting with someone occupies the same phonological loop the earworm runs on. Crossword-level difficulty seems to hit the sweet spot — hard enough to engage you, not so hard you give up.

So if a tune won't quit, don't just wait it out. Hand your brain something else to chew on.