For anyone who struggles to fall asleep or sleep through the night, environment is everything. This includes what you hear. Most people benefit from finding a happy medium between loud, disruptive noises and complete silence. Soothing sounds drown out other noises and help you relax into sleep. Some of the most ordinary sounds are the most helpful, including these six you can find in most homes:
1. The Shower
Water sounds are particularly popular for sleeping. The sound of a shower running may help you sleep for a few reasons. For some people, it provides the sense that someone is home with them. The illusion provides a sense of security.
There is also an evolutionary reason that watersounds help you sleep. The brain interprets this kind of sound as a non-threat, as compared to a shrill, sudden sound like an alarm clock. Even loud water sounds—because they are steady and consistent—don’t disrupt sleep as much as a sudden sound.
2. Air Conditioning
Like the other sounds on this list, the whoosh of a running air conditioner soothes because it is similar to white or pink noise. White noise is a mix of all sound frequencies, while pink noise is a mix with an emphasis on deeper tones. Both may be beneficial to sleep by drowning out more disruptive noises.
These sound mixes may also help you sleep better because theyreduce brain wave activity. This relaxes you and enables you to fall asleep and maintain stable sleep throughout the night.
3. The Hum of the Fridge
A humming refrigerator is another example of pink/white noise that provides a soothing background sound. If you don’t like silence but also find things like the shower or an air conditioner too loud, the refrigerator hum is just right.
4. The Dishwasher
Another reason dishwasher sounds help you sleep is related to habit and brain signals. Many people put the dishwasher on at night before bed. You can then hear it running as you drift off to sleep. If you have done this for years, or if it reminds you of your childhood home that made you feel safe, the sound signals to your brain that it’s time to sleep.
5. Running a Bath
This is similar to the sound of a shower running. It provides the non-threatening signal of a nature-like sound and also makes it seem as if someone else is home with you. You may also associate a running bath tap with relaxation if you enjoy a warm bath to unwind.
6. Whirring Fans
For many people, this is the ultimate white noise machine. Sleeping with a fan not only provides a cool breeze on a hot night, but it drowns out other sounds. Fans are versatile too. If you don’t like the breeze, or if it’s too cold, you can simply point it away and enjoy the sound alone.
How to Sleep to the Soothing Domestic Sounds
If it’s the hum of a refrigerator that helps you sleep, you could camp out on the kitchen floor, but there is a better option. BetterSleep has all of these sounds and many more. You can listen to the sound of the AC or fridge to your heart’s content. You can also mix sounds to create your blend for a perfect night’s sleep.
