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Can’t sleep? Nature sounds for sleep that will calm your mind in matter of minutes
Ever found yourself falling asleep lying on a beach? Or dozing off listening to a soothing rainfall? Well, if so, there’s an excellent reason. Nature sounds for sleep and tranquility go hand in hand.
We’re hardwired to experience a sense of calm when hearing sounds of nature. So lest you think that feeling of Peace you experience hearing nature sounds is merely a coincidence, think again.
There are scientific reasons for why nature sounds for sleep are so powerful, and we’re going to talk about them here.
“Ocean waves, rainforest animals, thunderstorms, and even the Chinese giant salamander can all be pleasant sounds to fall asleep to. Natural noises are less likely to annoy us than some other sounds because they usually include fluctuations in amplitude and frequency.” (Amanda Winn, Health.com, 2012, How Certain Sounds Help Us Sleep.)
How Poor Quality Sleep Can Make You Vulnerable to Illness
By now, unless you’re living in a cave, you know that lack of sleep has a multitude of unfavorable effects on your health. Not to get heavily into detail, but here are some of the primary culprits:
- Increased stress
- Cognitive impairment
- Higher tendency to be accident prone
- Adverse cardiovascular effects
- Increased irritability
- Lack of ability to concentrate
It’s no secret that getting a good night’s sleep is Challenging these days. And the importance of improving your quality of sleep cannot be overstressed.
In fact, city governments have long confirmed that noise has adverse effects on quality of sleep and resulting stress.
“As early as 1930, the New York Noise Abatement Commission warned that prolonged exposure to loud noise not only damages the ears but also dampens workplace productivity, interferes with child development, disrupts sleep, and generally creates stress.” (Dorian Rolston, American Scientific, 2013, Night Noise: What A Sleeping Brain Hears.)
Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. 🙂
Use Nature Sounds To Sleep Like A Baby
What with smartphones dinging and pinging night and day and all manner of electronic notifications constantly invading your life, is it any wonder falling sleep has become so elusive?
So before we go any further, take heed — turn off your electronics at night to eliminate hearing any of those un-nature-like sounds.
Electronic noises are not sounds to sleep to. Not even close.
Rainfall, soft breezes, waterfalls, flowing rivers, and ocean waves, on the other hand, are perfect ambient sleep sounds.
And even if you don’t sleep under the stars, you’ll be pleased to know that nature sounds for sleep are within your grasp.
So just how do nature sounds work to Soothe and Relax your Soul? And more importantly, how can you make them a part of your nightly routine?
Fear not. We’re going to share all of this with you now.
What is Pink Noise?
You’ve probably heard of white noise before. But what about pink noise?
Think of pink noise as white noise’s Gentler, kinder cousin. 🙂
When it comes to sounds for sleeping, pink noise is where Nature Sounds Reside.
“‘You’ve likely heard of “white noise,’ says study author Jue Zhang, Ph.D., an associate professor at China’s Peking University, which is produced when the sounds of different frequencies are combined. Pink noise, on the other hand, is a type of sound in which every octave carries the same power, or a perfectly consistent frequency, Zhang explains. ‘Think of rain falling on pavement, or wind rustling the leaves on a tree,’ It’s called pink noise because light with a similar power spectrum would appear pink, he says.” (Markham Heid, Prevention, 2012, Noise That Will Help You Sleep Better.)
Why Nature Sounds For Sleep Work Like A Charm Every Time
Consider how jarring a ringing phone can be. Or a car alarm. Even a slamming door. Not only are these sounds not conducive to sleep, but if you’ve managed to drift off, they’ll almost certainly jolt you awake faster than a speeding train.
Our brains have an evolutionary response to sudden loud noises; a holdover from the days when humans had to be on constant guard for environmental threats.
“Is that loud noise a big scary creature coming to eat me?” You get the idea.
By contrast, soothing sounds of nature have the opposite effect. We’re not so different from our ancient ancestors when it comes right down to it, are we?
“Abrupt sounds will trigger an evolutionary response to sudden noises, the brain’s ‘threat-activated vigilance system.’ This will wake a person up. The calming water sounds of a sleep-track work on this idea, creating non-threatening sounds that gradually vary in volume to prevent startling a person awake. These calming sounds can also block out noises that the brain would interpret as threats.” (Cheyenne MacDonald, DailyMail.com, 2016, Why The Sound Of Water Help You Sleep.)
Non-Threating Sounds To Sleep By
As far back as the time of our cave-dwelling ancestors, we humans have considered sounds of nature non-threatening. They’re Calming and Peaceful, and your brain uses them to block out more alarming noises.
Nature sounds are more steady and constant, rather than jarring.
Abrupt noises, by contrast, jolt you awake and bedevil your efforts to fall asleep.
Studies done in hospital settings show that sounds that gradually increase in volume, like helicopters or traffic noise, only woke participants in a deep sleep about 70 percent of the time. (Adam Hadhazy, Live Science, 2016, Why Does The Sound Of Water Help You Sleep.)
A sudden ringing phone or alarm sound, however, woke participants more quickly and frequently.
And while you may think the absence of sound is the best environment for sleep, it seems that gentle nature sounds to fall asleep work much better.
Which Nature Sounds Work Best for Falling Asleep?
So short of sleeping in the great outdoors, how can you use nature sounds to fall asleep in the real world — you know, where you sleep inside in a bed rather than under the stars?
A nature sounds for sleep mp3 is one answer to that question.
These days you can find mp3’s that include all manner of relaxing sleep sounds, making it easy to feel like you’re sleeping by the sea or a babbling brook every single night.
So let’s explore some of the best sleeping sounds of nature to help you fall asleep no matter how stressful your day.
1. Water
Water sounds encompass a whole spectrum of sounds, among which are:
- Crashing Waves
- Babbling Brooks
- Rainfall
- Waterfalls
- Flowing River
Water sounds relaxing – whether falling from the sky or flowing in a stream.
All of these water sounds will Soothe your Soul. Your brain won’t interpret them as threats, thus allowing you to relax and fall deeply asleep.
And it’s that threat versus non-threat that holds the key.
“Part of the answer lies in how our brains interpret the noises we hear — both while awake and in the dead of night — as either threats or non-threats. Certain sounds, such as screams and loud alarm clocks, can hardly be ignored. Yet other sounds, like the wind in the trees and waves lapping ashore, we sort of tune out.” (Adam Hadhazy, Live Science, 2016, Why Does The Sound Of Water Help You Sleep.)
2. Thunder
Now, at 1st blush, the sound of thunder may seem at odds with sleep. Who hasn’t been jolted awake by a sudden loud clap of thunder?
But more often than not, thunderstorms seem to come from a distance and are rhythmic in nature. Since they are repetitive and heard in the background, so to speak, you don’t feel threatened.
The slow rumbling of thunder, coupled with falling rain and blowing wind has a relaxing effect on your brain. Very non-threatening and Soothing and Pleasant sounds to sleep to.
3. Wind
Another version of nature sounds for sleep and relaxation is wind. Again, the wind, unless it’s a howling gale, is registered in the background of your mind.
Wind sounds, like rainfall, rustle leaves on trees, creating a gentle susurrus that’s soothing and relaxing.
If sleep all too often eludes you, listening to the sounds of a gentle wind can help you drift off and fall into a deep sleep.
What Works Best For You
When it comes to using nature sounds for sleep (or even just for relaxation) there’s no need to move to a mountain hideaway or become a modern-day caveman.
Unlike our cousins of yore, there are many options available to you. You can take that annoying electronic technology that so often keeps you awake and instead turn it into your best friend.
Try collecting different kinds of nature sound mp3s so you can discover which ones work best for you and help you fall asleep the fastest.
You’ll find yourself falling asleep as quickly and as deeply as a baby.
With nary a care in the world.
Your health and your peace of mind will thank you. Why wait any longer?
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