White Noise Therapy For A Better Night’s Sleep
With so many visual stimulations surrounding us, it gets hard to fall asleep sometimes. So instead of succumbing to medications, why not try listening to white noise? The idea may seem a far-fetched concept for many, but it has proven to be one of the most effective ways to drown out noise and be lulled to sleep.
Some of us are fortunate enough to be able to fall asleep any time, any place, despite the background noise. As for the rest of us, tossing and turning at the slightest sound has become a religious norm. And when sleep is compromised, it has serious damaging effects on our health aside from the usual grogginess and irritation.
Before we proceed to explain what white noise is, board this plane to experience its wonder.
What is white noise?
White noise is produced by combining all the different frequencies of sounds together at once. Each of these frequencies is projected at an equal amount from low to high. Some machines like fans for instance can create an approximation of white noise by hitting all these notes. That’s why they are great at creating background noise that masks other sounds.
When there are sudden changes in noise, we are often distracted by the jarring clash especially when sleeping. White noise’s masking effects blocks out those changes, making it easier to sleep. That’s the reason why people leave a television or fan on through the night.
If you’re trying to concentrate in a disturbing environment and there aren’t filters like these in place, try listening to white noise on your headphones to mediate the conflicting sounds around you.
Look at it as a noise-shock absorber.
Benefits of white noise
1. Be it a honking car, noisy pets or loud neighbours, white noise blocks harsh sounds in your environment, masking all the different distracting decibels that may keep you awake.
2. And it just might be a godsend for chronic insomniacs or generally those who are triggered by the slightest disturbance.
By balancing out surrounding sounds, light sleepers will appreciate the peaceful and calmer sleeping atmosphere that white noise promotes – ensuring quality sleep through total relaxation.
3. Plus, cognitive abilities are greatly improved as white noise grabs one's attention from drifting away into chattering thoughts – thus enabling focus and mindfulness for an extended time.
We are living in a world that is full of noise, whether it is physical or digital. The methods humans use to “tone it down” are a placebo. Noise is coming from our personal life, the news, and social media – creating a lot of commotion without us being aware.
With so much going on in the world, let’s see if white noise can help you turn on the “quiet” for a night.
Drift off, listening to SOL’s curated slumber-list.
For more articles on the impact of the arts on mental health, read:
Cover Image: Noah Buscher/Unsplash
Writer | CK Yeoh
CK is a writer from Malaysia who is in a serious relationship with music and YouTube. He is also casually dating Kindle and having a fling with podcasts.
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