Nature Soothing

A study measuring self-reported relaxation in groups with different objective levels of oxytocin release found that music increased oxytocin and accordingly levels of relaxation compared to control groups . Outside of clinical practice, music is frequently used to self-regulate mood and arousal as well as to decrease negative thoughts . Given the established links between stress and poor sleep, this research provides indicative evidence to suggest that music may be a powerful tool in the fight against sleep loss. In a typical study, people listen to relaxing tunes for about 45 minutes before they head off to bed. Several studies have found that the music’s tempo makes a difference. “Reputable studies find that music with a rhythm of about 60 beats a minute helps people fall asleep,” says Breus.

Following closely in the footsteps of nature sounds is another form of relaxing music known as ambient music. Not music in the traditional sense, as ambient music generally lacks a tune or even a discernable beat, but the tone of which is excellent for relaxation and meditation. This “Deep, Relaxing Ambient Music Mix” is a compilation perfectly suited for your sleep music meditations. The meta-analysis revealed that while music can be a hugely impactful sleep aid, only music with a tempo of around 60 beats per minute has a profound impact on calming the mind and helping you nod off.

Whilst supporting the anecdotal idea that a key reason to select music for sleep is to aid relaxation, the survey identified for the first time a larger collection of motivators for using music when sleep is disturbed. The use of music as a distractor was a prominent theme, with distraction against thoughts a frequent comment that would benefit from further research. Negative thoughts are one of the main contributors to sleep loss in people with insomnia and distraction of these thoughts was one of the main reasons reported for the use of music throughout the survey. It also reduces cortisol, a hormone that stimulates alertness and also stress, according to numerous studies.

By creating a mental state of relaxation, contentment, and gentle focus, the wave sound can be deeply relaxing. Researchers found that nature’s sounds led to more outward-focused attention in the brain, rather than inward-focused. Inward-focused attention is associated with states of anxiety, stress, and depression, all of which can be antithetical to sleep. Relaxing music may soothe anxiety and quiet a racing mind, which usually causes sleep disorders.

“As you are falling asleep, your heart rate begins to slow, and starts to move toward that 60-beats-per-minute range.” In other words, slow music “tunes” your heartbeat toward the sleep zone. You can even buy CDs or download tunes from Bedtime Beats set to the 60-beats-per-minute ideal. The need for a non-pharmaceutical, low cost sleep aid within our modern society is clear due to the economic, physical and psychological costs of sleep loss, which are increasingly widespread. Many people endure inadequate sleep on a regular basis and whilst pharmaceutical and over-the-counter options can provide some relief, many are ineffective and can lead to short term and chronic health-related side effects. Music’s potential for successful use in therapeutic and clinical settings makes it a viable, low cost, side-effect free option in the treatment of sleep loss. The results of this population survey suggest that many individuals are already intuitively using diverse types of music to fight sleep difficulties.

Physical —This time was used when a participant stated the aim was to improve their physical state in advance of sleep. Mood Designated examples where a change in personal mood while listening to music or setting a desired environmental mood with the music was the goal. There may be some merit to using music to lull yourself to sleep. Studies have found that participants who listen to music subjectively report better sleep. 4 Surprising Health Conditions Inadequate Sleep Is Associated With You might think that lack of sleep only affects your mood, focus, and productivity.

To comprehend the degree to which music is having an effect on sleep, moderating factors such as musical engagement should be considered alongside music structure and preferences. A better understanding of the role of individual differences when it comes to using music as a sleep aid may also have implications for the function of music in wellbeing settings such as pain therapy and depression. In our data musical engagement played a significant Calming Music role in the frequency of which individuals are using music as a sleep aid. Hence in our sample, music provides an option for many who are seeking help at a low cost and with no determinable side effects. In terms of what these individuals chose to listen to within the music available to them, we note a large diversity within their responses, with great variety in the musical genres. These playlists generally include tracks with relatively low tempo (60–80 beats per minute), low amplitude, and relatively little or slow-moving change, and are of a smooth/legato nature .

These studies are often performed on people who are undergoing medical treatments like surgery. Listening to music can help both acute pain and chronic pain, including hard-to-treat chronic pain associated with conditions like fibromyalgia. So, it’s no surprise that scientific research has measured several benefits that music can have on sleep. Music is an incredible tool for emotional health, daily performance, and sleep.

However, research suggests that music may also minimize pain, and by doing so, help you sleep better. Sleep Disorders Learn about the different types of sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Explore the symptoms, causes, tests and treatments of sleep disorders.

Each person’s definition of soothing is different, so explore a few different types of music content to find the one that best quiets your brain and gives you that relaxed, sleepy feeling. Music is an effective treatment for both short-term and chronic sleep disorders. The therapeutic effects of music on your sleep increase with time. This means, the more consistently you use music to help you sleep, the more effective it will be at aiding in your sleep efficiency. The experience of listening to music is an incredibly individual one. We all react and relate differently to songs and find different meaning within them.