Having trouble sleeping is a common problem among adults. From the stress in our lives to the screens constantly in our faces to all the responsibilities life throws at us, it is easy to see why some of us are insomniacs. Sometimes, winding down before bedtime and getting our minds to “turn off” can be a difficult task.
However, music may be the answer for some people who have trouble sleeping. Lullabies are not just for babies and children; finding the right song to play before sleeping can greatly improve some people’s sleep habits. Finding a soothing tune to relax and lull you off to sleep is a great thing to try if you’re having trouble.
For more information from your sleep doctor in New York City, click here.
Why it Works
Soothing bedtime melodies can help improve both the quality and quantity of sleep. While the reasons why this method works aren’t completely clear, researchers think there are a few reasons to keep in mind.
A good song, or one that you really like, can have relaxing effects on your body. It may trigger feel-good chemicals in the brain, lower your heart rate and slow your breathing. These are all important physical effects that your body needs to have a good night’s rest.
Listening to music while drifting off can help calm your body and give your brain something meaningless to pay attention to, similar to its reaction to a white noise machine. This can help you compartmentalize whatever is on your mind, helping you to stop focusing on the list of things to do tomorrow and focus on what is important right now: getting a good night’s sleep. Some people might argue that falling asleep with the TV on can have the same effect. However, because of the unnatural, blue light emitted from a television, your sleep can become disrupted. If you are truly having trouble sleeping, this might cause more harm than good. So, listening to something without staring at a screen will probably be more beneficial for getting a better night’s sleep.
The Benefits
Specifically, you should notice that you wake up less during the night, fall asleep faster and feel more rested when you wake up. Music can help people of all ages get a better night’s sleep, from the elderly to toddlers and everyone in between. When starting this method, it may take a few weeks to get used to it and to see the full benefits. So, it’s important to try this out for about a month to give the method enough time to work.
Find the Right Song
Before trying this out for yourself, you want to make sure that you pick out the right songs. Go for soothing, relaxing songs that you like. More specifically, songs in the 60 to 80 BPM range should be perfect. You should also try to find songs that you are familiar with.
Some music streaming services, like Spotify, even have playlists made for sleeping. In fact, in a recent survey done by Spotify to its various sleep playlists, it found that Ed Sheeran’s songs were the most popular to fall asleep to. Some people also find that listening to classical, jazz or folk music help them fall asleep.
Sleep Doctor in New York City
If you are having trouble sleeping, consider calling on the expertise of Dr. Mayank Shukla and the team at the Asthma Allergy Sleep Center of New York. The premier sleep doctor in New York City specializes in asthma, pediatric pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine and can help you get a better night’s sleep. Our team has years of experience and see over 5,000 patients a year.
