The average person spends a third of their life on earth sleeping. Although this may seem like a lot of sleep in your life, studies show that 1 in 3 adults still do not get enough sleep, and almost 30% of those people report that their lack of rest is caused by difficulty falling asleep.
These sounds will help you sleep like a baby:
1. Nature
Sounds from nature, such as steady rain, rustling leaves, wind, and a beating heart, are known as pink noise. Pink noise is a classification of sound that can be picked up by the human ear regardless of the frequency of the sound. Studies show that these environmental sounds slow down our brain waves and can help us fall asleep faster and more deeply. Yeah, they’re like that:
Running water
Light but constant rainfall
Fresh wind
Heart palpitations
Soft waves crashing on the shore
2. Balanced and consistent tones
More commonly known as white noise, these sounds have been found to effectively put fussy babies to sleep faster. White noise is spread in equal amplitude frequencies that are picked up by our ears, allowing the brain to maintain focus and concentration. This is helpful for people who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep because these sounds can cancel out other noises and help the brain focus on sleep.
Some forms of white noise you can try listening to in bed include:
Radio or TV static
The whirring sound of an electric fan
Humming radiator
The quiet hum of an air conditioner
3. Low sounds
Some people find lower frequency sounds more soothing when it comes to falling asleep. These sounds are called brown noise. Compared to white and pink noise, brown is bold, deep and strong, like the rumble of thunder or crashing waves. Although the effectiveness of these deep noises has yet to be scientifically proven, there are a number of claims that brown noise has helped people with their sleep.
Types of brown noise you may hear include:
Ocean currents and powerful waterfalls
Crashing waves
Rumbling thunder
A soft roar or tremor
4. Kitchen noise
There are various noises in the kitchen that can actually help you fall asleep. The sizzling of food cooking in a pan is a form of pink noise, while the constant hum of a stove hood is a form of white noise. Even the motor of a running fridge or freezer can help you or a fussy child fall asleep.
5. Personal playlists
One of the main reasons we can’t sleep is caused by stress, and one way to relieve that tension is through music. Music has been shown to have a powerful effect on stress and emotions. By listening to a set of your favorite tunes before bed, you may be able to let go of your worries and clear your mind for a better night’s sleep.
6. Nothing
Sometimes all you need to fall asleep is some peace and quiet. Black noise or the sound of nothing is the complete silence you may need to get a good night’s sleep.
