People spend, on average, 18 hours per week listening to music. It’s an important part of our lives. According to researchers, music improves mental health in several ways. For sleep, it’s a great way to relax. Music is also a useful accompaniment to meditation, especially when using it to calm the mind before bed.

The Benefits of Meditation with Music

Researchers have identified the mental health benefits of music and meditation used separately:

• Improved psychological well-being
• Improved mood
• Lower perceived stress
• Better sleep
• Improved quality of life

If relaxing music and meditation have these effects when used alone, what happens when you combine them? Many people falsely assume that meditation must be a silent practice.

Meditation is an ancient practice with roots nearly 5,000 years ago in the Indus Valley. Many cultures and most religions have some form of meditation, with or without music.

Some Buddhist monks, for instance, use Tibetan singing bowls to produce certain tones that promote relaxation during meditation. Christian monks have long used song and chanting of prayers as a type of meditation.

Meditation doesn’t require music, but there are some excellent reasons to try combining them. If you find it difficult to settle or clear your mind to begin a meditation, calm music can distract it from racing thoughts. Music helps set the stage for a productive meditation session.

Using Music to Improve Sleep

The benefits of listening to music include improving sleep. There is a reason lullaby music helps babies settle at night. Researchers have shown that certain types of music promote relaxation, which in turn improves sleep.

Studies show that approximately 45 minutes of listening to relaxing music can induce sleep. Music at the right frequency, about 60 beats per minute, synchronizes brain waves, leading to a state of relaxation. Researchers have found that music can change the way the brain functions to the same degree as certain medications.

The relaxed state that music is capable of producing is similar to the effect of meditation. You don’t need to use music to meditate for better sleep, but it may help you relax and be more receptive.

Choosing Music for Sleep and Relaxation

The best music to meditate to is ultimately a personal choice. However, if your goal is to relax and sleep better, opt for something with a slow beat. Relaxing spa music, sleep music, and any type of calm and slow music are good choices. Play around with different styles and types of music until you find something that works for you.

If you’re new to meditation or using music to relax, try the BetterSleep app. It includes a library of music and sounds that allow you to experiment and create custom mixes. Choose a song for sleep and try it with one of the guided meditations. Mix natural sounds or solfeggio frequencies into the music for your ultimate go-to sleep tunes. Meditation and music go hand-in-hand, so don’t be afraid to try this relaxing combination.