calming sounds

Sleep is a precious commodity in many households around the world. For some people, it’s falling asleep in the first place. For others, it’s managing to remain asleep that’s the problem. One of the more common causes of problem sleeping is distractions brought on by noise in the environment. That’s why many people are beginning to take matters into their own hands in order to find sounds they sleep to so that they can ignore the sounds that tend to wake them up or keep them up at night. What Sounds Distract from Restful Sleep? Knowing how important it is to get a good night’s sleep only seems to pile on the pressure some nights when your brain is hijacked by every random noise of stray thought that crosses paths with it. Some of the sounds that may be preventing you from getting the sleep you so desperately need include: Barking dogs Dripping water faucets Traffic Trains Garbage trucks Street sweepers Sirens Noisy Neighbors Of course there are plenty more sounds that might be making a difference in your own little corner of the world, but these noises are some of the most commonly complained about. Why Use Sleep Sounds? If the sounds above are distracting in their own right, wouldn’t playing sounds to sleep by only serve to add further distraction? It could, if you don’t find the appropriate sounds to meet your needs. However, matching the right sound to your need for sleep and the way your brain works can make a huge difference in the quantity and quality of sleep you’re getting. These are just a few reasons to make sleep sounds part of your regular bedtime routine: Drowns out the other noise nearby Helps you empty your mind Aids in relaxation Soothes Types of Sleep Sounds to Consider These may not be rocket science caliber solutions, but they can have a profound impact on your ability to sleep peacefully at night in a world that’s anything but peaceful. Sounds of Nature – Mother Nature has been extremely kind by providing all sorts of soothing sounds that make excellent background noise for a good night’s sleep. Think about it, how well do you sleep during a mild thunderstorm? Have you ever fallen asleep with the sound of the surf hitting the beach? There really is no better way to go to sleep than that. The sounds of tropical rainforests, and even rain showers can be extremely relaxing. Just remember you might need fast access to a bathroom as water sounds tend to turn on the internal waterworks. White Noise – For some insomnia sufferers, white noise is music to their ears. There are few better sleep aids out there than white noise for drowning out the unwanted noise while providing you with a stress-reducing, calming, and sleep inducing environment. There's been several studies, like this one out of Central Michigan University and this one from Pulmonary/Critical Care and Sleep Medicine Division, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown Medical School, that have concluded that there are benefits to white noise for better sleep. It’s better to avoid wearing headphones while listening to white noise, which is a combination of frequencies, as it can cause damage to your ears. Instead, consider purchasing a machine that generates white noise or listening through speakers rather than headphones. But not everyone relies on a sound machine; some prefer the monotonous "hum" of a fan, air conditioner, or even a hair dryer. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or go very far out of your way to find the right sounds for a good night’s sleep. These options will have you sleeping well and waking rested. What sounds help to put you to sleep? Can you fall asleep with dead silence or do you like white noise? Chime in (pun intended) with your thoughts! Link to Us! If you found this article useful and shareable, please copy and paste the following into the html code of your website or blog: [code]Learn More about Getting a Better Night's Sleep and Good Sleep Hygiene at Plushbeds Green Sleep Blog .[/code]