DOES LISTENING TO MUSIC HELP IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP?

It’s generally thought that the quieter your bedroom is the better it is for getting off to sleep.

However, there are many people who swear by listening to music or an audiobook to help them nod off.

TEMPUR looks at whether silence is always golden…

DOES MUSIC HELP WITH SLEEP?

Getting a decent amount of high-quality sleep will impact your quality of life.

Not sleeping properly can result in fatigue, depression, anxiety and even affect your daily tasks both mentally and physically.

There are many different sleep aids that people use to slumber and wake up feeling refreshed.

One sleeping aid that you may have overlooked is listening to relaxing music during bedtime – something many psychologists believe can alleviate sleeping disorders for certain people.

Using soothing music to wind down before bed can reduce the amount of the stress hormone noradrenaline in your system, which helps you relax and calm down before bed.

WHAT MUSIC WORKS BEST FOR SLEEP?

Just like lullabies that help babies nod off, the music that you choose needs to be soft and steady.

Some other things to consider when using music to fall asleep:

• Use music that has a slow and stable rhythm, with low-frequency tones and relaxing melodies
• Experiment with different ‘easy listening’ genres like classical, acoustic, jazz, and folk music
• Avoid music with lyrics as this can distract you from falling asleep
• Try listening to ambient or ‘sleep’ music that integrates sounds such as birds chirping and wind chimes

Put the music on as you get into bed and set the timer for a little longer than it takes you to fall asleep; this may be anywhere between 15 to 45 minutes.

Make sure the music is loud enough to block out any other noise that might keep you awake, such as traffic.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO COMBAT INSOMNIA?

In addition to listening to melodies, there are several other simple methods you can practice to help you snooze away.

Try drinking a hot non-caffeinated drink or taking a warm bath before hitting the sack. This will help you unwind from the stresses of the day and prepare your mind and body for sleep.

Other tips for helping improve your quality sleep include keeping your bedroom cool and removing blue light (cellphones, laptops, tablets etc.) from your bedtime routine.

Also, ensure that you are sleeping on the right mattress. If you’re using a TEMPUR mattress it will compress and conform to the shape of your body, ensuring you get a great nights sleep and wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

Remember, if you’re still struggling with insomnia and it’s affecting your daily life, then contact your doctor who can offer their expert opinion on the best steps forward.