Can Music Help You Sleep?

Having trouble sleeping can be frustrating – not to mention the negative impact a lack of sleep can have. While herbal or prescribed sleeping tablets can help you to drift off, they can also be expensive and result in unwanted side effects if used long-term. Luckily, there is another treatment for sleepless nights that is both free and harmless: music.

Most of us have probably nodded off to a relaxing tune before, but does music help you sleep? Are there certain types of music that can help you wind down before bed? Read our guide to find out more.
 

Relaxing sleep music for adults

Lullabies are renowned for sending babies off to dreamland, but soothing sleep music is great for adults, too. Relaxing sleep music can help people struggling to drop off to boost both sleep quality and sleep quantity. Research has found that listening to relaxing music to make you sleep can help you fall asleep faster, wake up less during the night and feel more rested in the morning. While the reasons for why music can help you sleep aren’t scientifically proven yet, the consensus is that relaxing sleep music can release feel-good chemicals in the brain, while also lowering heart rate and slowing down our breathing.
 

Types of music to make you sleep

In a recent study it was found that people who listen to relaxing sleep music for 45 minutes before heading off to bed fall to sleep quicker and rate their nights as more restful in comparison to when they don’t listen to music. Music considered to be ‘soothing’ and ‘relaxing’ is really a matter of personal preference; however, selecting a rhythm of around 60-80 beats per minute (BPM) are found to be the best sleep aid. Genres of music these rhythms are likely to be found include classical, jazz or folk.
 

Does classical music help you sleep?

While your favorite music to sleep to is a personal choice, the classical genre ranks most highly on the list of music to make you sleep. Listening to classical music for 45 minutes prior to bed time can help to improve sleep quality, whilst also having a positive impact on mood, productivity and creativity. In fact, there are several surprising benefits of listening to classical music aside from sleep – from decreasing blood pressure to boosting memory and relieving pain.
 

Soft music for kids to sleep to

Foetuses can start hearing sounds when they are around 35 weeks old, which is why it’s no surprise that relaxing sleep music can play an essential role in calming little ones and helping them to sleep. Soft music for kids to sleep to can be a welcome addition to nighttime routines, helping to relax your child and letting them know it’s time for bed. Introducing sleep music for littles one can also help to breed feelings of familiarity and comfort throughout childhood.
 

But how does sleep music actually affect us?

Our brains are wired to respond to music, which is why sleep music affects us in a variety of ways. Physiologically, breathing and heart rate mirror the beat of a song, which means different types of music can alter our body chemistry and hormone levels. For example, listening to relaxing sleep music before bed can boost serotonin levels – a chemical in the brain that makes us feel happy. Music also activates both the left and right side of the brain, which means both creativity and logic are boosted. So, as long as you’re choosing sleep music that makes you feel relaxed and happy, night time listening will have a positive impact on your night’s sleep.

Natural bedding for a good night’s sleep

While listening to music before bed can soothe and relax us before hitting the hay, at the core of any restful night’s sleep is the right bedding. Natural wool bedding is designed to regulate temperature and ensure you get a healthy night’s sleep – no matter what time of year it is. From natural wool comforters to wool pillows and mattress protectors – browse our collection today.