One thing all human beings need is sleep. There’s no denying that fact: We must sleep. But what if you’re one of the many people having trouble falling or staying asleep?
According to statistics from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, an estimated 40 million Americans annually live with chronic sleep disorders, while 20 million more have trouble sleeping from time to time. Those who are unable to get enough sleep experience everything from impaired judgment to more longer term health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Sleep-related problems are indeed a serious issue, both on a personal and societal level, with sleep itself having become a huge topic among health professionals over the years. Recently, however, research has shown that there is an all-natural sleep aid that can actually help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up more refreshed. What is this miracle cure? Music.
It may be surprisingly, but music is one key factor that can improve on the length and quality of those daily Zzzs. In fact, evidence has already shown ways that music has improved sleep in hospitals and nursing homes, and for people who have pain or other medical conditions. Listening to some of the best music for sleep has also been known to improve memory and brainpower.
How Exactly Does Music Help?
Here’s the thing about sleep and sound. There are certain sounds such as relaxing tunes or falling rain that can and will lead to sounder sleep. Adding music to an environment not only raises the “noise floor” so that the sudden sounds aren’t as distracting but it also offers a rhythmic pattern that can be pleasant, relaxing, and not as irregular or jarring as the dominant sound stimuli surrounding us (i.e. construction work, noisy kids, city traffic, etc.).
While the exact reasons why music helps individuals sleep better is not yet fully clear, it may just come down to the fact that the relaxing effects of various tunes can trigger feel-good chemicals in the brain, as well as bring about positive physical affects that include lower heart rate and slower breathing.
Music is essentially designed to relax the mind, body, and spirit through a repetition of rhythms, music phrases, slow tempos, and low tones. It can bring us to our happy place, as music that has positive memory association reminds us of a relaxed and happy time.
Types of Music to Listen To
Music can help sleepers of all ages, from toddlers to the elderly, during naps or at nighttime. While plenty of people continue to use music to lull themselves to sleep, it is important to remember that not all songs are created equal.
Studies have noted classical music as the best music for sleep, as well as childhood favorites like lullabies, which are not just good for babies, but great for adults as well — they simultaneously help soothe and unwind. Familiar songs tend to work well, along with “easy listening” picks in the jazz and folk genres.
When searching for the best music for sleep, songs that incorporate a slower rhythm of 60 to 80 BPM are most ideal. Recently, Spotify even released the top twenty songs users used to fall asleep to, with the soft stylings of Ed Sheeran taking the top spot. Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding and John Legend also made the cut.
It always helps to experiment to figure out what works best for your personally, but if you need help counting out the beats-per-minute a certain song has, try a handy tool like this to find out.
Let the experts with Dr. Mayank Shukla help lull you off to dreamland by learning more about various ways to experience better sleep via the innovative use of music. Contact Doctor Shukla and his team today, as they have years of experience in pediatric respiratory medicine, allergy treatment, and sleep apnea therapy to finally get you the rest you want and deserve.
