What is White Noise for Sleep?
White noise is a type of sound that blocks out unwelcome background noises and can be used to improve the quality of sleep. Examples of white noise that are commonly used to aid sleep include a fan, the sound of air conditioning, and surf noises. The sound of white noise is often described as a swishing or humming sound that covers all other noises in the environment. It may be used to mask outside disturbances such as a loud neighbor or street traffic to better facilitate sleep.
White noise for sleep is also used to relax an anxious user quickly and shift them from a wide awake state to a state of relaxation. It allows the user to switch off from their busy environment to help them quickly let go of intrusive thoughts and achieve better rest and relaxation in sleep.
White noise also offers health benefits such as improved sleep quality and helping to reduce stress hormones which can cause sleep disruption. White noise is available in various forms such as online applications, sound machines, and CDs.
Pros of Using White Noise for Sleep
White noise is beneficial for those struggling to find a way to mask out external and disturbing noises while trying to fall asleep. This makes it extremely beneficial for people who have trouble sleeping due to external distractions.
The soft and consistent sound of white noise can help to induce a calming effect on the body, enabling users to relax quickly. This can help the user to achieve deeper, restful sleep by shutting out intrusive thoughts and helping them to relax their body and mind.
Improvement of Sleep Quality
White noise can help to improve sleep quality as it masks interruptions from the environment that can cause disrupted sleep. The calming effect of the sound of white noise can help a person to relax and fall asleep more quickly, achieving longer and more restful sleep.
The use of white noise helps to stabilize REM sleep cycles. REM sleep – also known as rapid eye movement sleep – is an important stage in sleep, where the body is in deep relaxation and the mind can process events and emotions from the day. By creating a soothing sound environment, white noise can help to induce a deeper, more restorative type of sleep.
White noise can help those who suffer from sleeping disorders such as insomnia. They may find that the soothing sound of white noise helps them to fall asleep more easily and also stay asleep for longer.
Stress and Anxiety Reduction
White noise can help to reduce stress levels, by calming the body and mind and providing a distraction from intrusive thoughts. It can help those who suffer from anxiety to focus on the sound of the white noise rather than their anxious thoughts, calming the body and mind in a matter of minutes.
White noise can also work as a great solution for those who cannot relax in a silent environment. The sound of white noise can help to create a sound environment that will enable you to relax and forget about the stresses or annoyances of the day.
White noise is also good for those who travel often. The sound of planes, trains or cars can make it difficult to sleep, however with white noise, the user is able to create a quiet, calming environment no matter their location.
Additional Benefits
- Masks unwanted disturbances
- Helps to lower stress levels
- Can help to reduce anxiety
- Provides a soothing, calming effect on the body and mind
- Easy to access and use – available as apps, machines, and CDs
Conclusion
White noise can be an effective and easily accessible solution for those who are struggling to sleep due to external noise or intrusive thoughts. It provides many health benefits and can help to reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality. It is available in many forms, meaning it is accessible no matter the location, making it an ideal solution for people who travel frequently.