Impact of Noise Levels on Sleep Quality
Sleep is essential for good health and wellbeing, however noise can very easily disturb an otherwise restful night’s sleep. There has been lots of research to ascertain the effect noise levels have on sleep quality. Marked changes in sleep cycle can be observed due to the different types of noise that can be heard during the night.
For instance, normal conversations and loud noises from mechanical equipment can have a considerable effect on sleep patterns and can interrupt a person’s night rest. Therefore, it is important to be mindful and conscious of the noises present in the home and bedroom area at night.
It is also important to note that the effect of noise on sleep quality can vary from one person to another. Some people are affected more than others due to the difference in their physiological and psychological makeup. Moreover, one person may be able to sleep peacefully due to background noise while another may find the same noise to be disruptive.
Noise Sources in the Home
The noise that comes into the bedroom of a flat or house from the exterior, such as sirens, traffic and people talking, are some of the most common causes of poor sleep quality. Interruption from these noises can disrupt sleep, causing difficulty with falling back to sleep and frequent waking as well as reducing the overall quality of sleep.
Noise from neighbours can also contribute to negative sleep patterns, including shouts, loud conversations and running water. It is important to take into account ways of reducing the disruptive noise coming from neighbours, as well as having regular conversations to assess their level of disruption.
Risks of Excessive Noise
The health risks of consistently interrupted sleep as a result of excessive noise have been widely studied. Some of the most common risks include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, memory impairment, and a weakened immune system. Long-term exposure to loud noise can even lead to permanent hearing loss.
In addition to the physical risks mentioned above, excessive noise can lead to anxiety, depression, anger, difficulty concentrating and a lack of concentration. It is important to bear in mind that the risks mentioned here pertain to long-term exposure to noise. Therefore, individuals should limit their exposure to excessive noise as much as possible.
Examples of strategies that can be used to limit exposure include using soundproofing materials in the bedroom, using ‘white noise’ to cover up the disruptive sounds by drowning them out with a consistent sound, and using electronic devices such as noise-cancelling headphones.
Noise Pollution Prevention Tips
- Reduce the use of electrical appliances and noises in the evening
- Seal windows, gaps and gaps to ensure soundproofing
- Ensure your house exterior is insulated against sound
- Be mindful of neighbours and their noise levels
- Install electronic devices such as white noise machines or noise cancelling headphones
Conclusion: Reducing the Impact of Noise Levels on Sleep Quality
Noise pollution can be detrimental to restful sleep. However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the impact of noise on sleep quality. By following the tips above, individuals can go some way to reducing the interference of noise from affecting good quality sleep.