Our Blog

Trouble Falling Asleep? Find Your Favorite Sleep Music Tonight!

Music has the ability to inspire creativity, evoke emotions, and unify people from all walks of life. But, did you know that it can also help us fall asleep faster and get deeper, more restorative sleep? According to the Sleep Foundation, a recent study shows that adults who listen to 45 minutes of sleep music before going to bed reported improved sleep starting on the first night. And there was a cumulative effect over time for those who made sleep music part of their nightly routine.

How Music Impacts Sleep

There’s a reason why parents have turned to lullabies to help sooth babies to sleep since….well forever! Not only do lullabies help create a bond between parent and child, but according to Parent Co. they can also help regulate emotions to help create a sense of calm and peace needed for sleep.

Tips on Choosing Your Sleep Music

Are you ready to make sleep music part of your bedtime routine? There are many options available to help you get started, including popular streaming services and sleep improvement apps. In fact, there are so many options that it may seem overwhelming! Don’t worry, we have some simple guidelines whether you want to curate your own personal sleep music playlist or find something ready-made online.  The most important thing to remember is that each individual is unique, so music that relaxes one person may not work for another.  While you’ll have to do a little trial and error to see what works best for you, here are some general guidelines to help get you started.

AVOID -

• Popular hits with an upbeat tempo. Your favorite daytime tunes may spark energy and additional brain activity, making it difficult to fall asleep.
• Songs with personal emotional triggers.  Save the song that reminds you of your first breakup for another time! Otherwise, your brain will naturally gravitate towards unpleasant memories and you’ll be struggling to relax.
• Lyric-heavy tunes. We are programmed to pay attention to lyrics, so the fewer the better when it comes to sleep music.

INSTEAD, CHOOSE –

• Ambient music with calming, pleasant sounds. Music that seems to fade into the background while you can still hear it is often the best type to help you unwind your mind and drift into sleep.
• Rhythm of 60-80 beats per minute. The Sleep Foundation recommends this tempo because it will promote a resting heart rate, which is essential in calming the body and mind to prepare for sleep. 
• Pre-curated playlists. Popular apps like Spotify and Calm have a wide selection of sleep music playlists ready to go and specially curated to help you fall asleep. Need a little inspiration? Check out these ideas from Bustle here.

Creating a relaxing bedtime routine that includes sleep music is a great way to reduce stress, relax, and prepare your body and mind for the restorative sleep you need. However, a ritual alone is not always enough to improve your sleep. Don’t forget to consider things like room temperature, blocking out light, and of course the comfort of your mattress to ensure you are setting yourself up for a good night’s rest every  night.

Happy Sleeping!

• Americanstar US