Did you know that getting regular, restful sleep is one of the best things you can do for your health? When you don’t get sleep, you feel frustrated and lethargic. This can become a real challenge if you don’t find a way to combat it.
There are a variety of strategies you can use to help you go to sleep. People often employ a warm glass of milk, counting sheep, reading, or some type of stress relaxation techniques. But sometimes these remedies simply don’t work.
Music, however, may be the solution you’ve been looking for to help you with your sleepless nights. The right type of music can help you relax, while the silence around you just might invite your mind to wander in worry.
These insomnia tips will show you how to use music to get a peaceful night’s sleep:
1. Softer music at a low volume is best. Mellow, sweet music can relax your mind and body. If the tempo is too fast or the volume is too loud, however, you’ll toss and turn amidst the noise. The transition to sleep can be made much easier with soft background music that blends into the surroundings.
- Artists like The Cure, Tom Waits, and Nick Drake make great sleeping music. Put the stereo on repeat or set up a playlist on your computer that will play the music you select throughout the night. That way, if you do wake up, you can fall right back to sleep easily.
- Acoustic versions of songs can also calm your mind and help you drift off to sleep.
- If you like a bit of variety in your sleeping playlist, movie soundtracks (like the one to “Garden State”) make excellent choices.
- Classical music is an often overlooked, but effective, sleep aid.
2. Music helps pass the time. One of the temptations of insomnia is to get up and do something to take your mind off the fact that you can’t sleep. Often, this wakes you up instead of calming you to sleep. Instead of lying in bed and feeling bored, play music to take your mind to a different and more pleasant place. In no time, you’ll be sound asleep.
3. Music melts away stress. Your insomnia may be caused by worry and anxiety. If something on your mind is keeping you awake, music will keep your mind distracted until you’re able to drift off to sleep.
- Music has the ability to alter your mood. Soothing music can calm you down when you’re angry, afraid, or upset.
Is There a Drawback to Music as a Sleep Aid?
Once you get used to falling asleep to music, you’ll experience more restful nights and productive days. As a result, you become accustomed to this new pattern of falling asleep. Sometimes, however, you may find yourself in a position where you can’t listen to your favorite tunes as you drift off into dreamland.
Also, you may find it difficult to fall asleep without the music you’ve become accustomed to if you’re sleeping in unfamiliar surroundings. One solution is to hum your nighttime tunes as you lay down. Sometimes, simply listening to the music in your head can do the trick.
Takeaway:
Music is inexpensive – with no side effects – and for many people has been very effective at helping with insomnia. If you are awake tonight, try falling asleep to the type of music you find relaxing. The goal is to wake up refreshed and ready to start a new day.
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