I n the midst of a pandemic, sleep has never been more important—or more elusive. But since the spread of COVID began, people around the world are going to bed later and sleeping worse ; tales of terrifying and vivid dreams have flooded social media. To combat sleeplessness, people are turning to all sorts of techniques, including anti-insomnia medication , aromatherapies, electronic curfews, sleep coaches and meditation. But another unlikely sedative has also seen a spike in usage around bedtime: music. While sleep music used to be confined to the fringes of culture—whether at avant-garde all-night concerts or New Age meditation sessions—the field has crept into the mainstream over the past decade.

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Anis Rehman. Music is a powerful art form. While it may get more credit for inspiring people to dance, it also offers a simple way to improve sleep hygiene , improving your ability to fall asleep quickly and feel more rested. Music can aid sleep by helping you feel relaxed and at ease. Parents know from experience that lullabies and gentle rhythms can help babies to fall asleep. Science supports this common observation, showing that children of all ages, from premature infants to elementary school children , sleep better after listening to soothing melodies. People across age groups report better sleep quality after listening to calming music. In one study, adults who listened to 45 minutes of music before going to sleep reported having better sleep quality beginning on the very first night. Even more encouraging is that this benefit appears to have a cumulative effect with study participants reporting better sleep the more often they incorporated music into their nightly routine.
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Living with short-term or chronic insomnia can be challenging. It can affect your physical and mental health in ways that extend far beyond waking up feeling groggy. But a resource for getting more restful sleep may be right in the palm of your hand. See how learning about your own sleep patterns may be the key to deeper, more restful sleep. Android rating: 4. Six nature-based relaxing tracks on this Android-only app will help you start your personal audio therapy. Choose from high-quality water sounds, nature sounds, animal sounds, white noise, and more, all designed to help you relax and sleep.
Nearly everyone has spent at least one night lying in bed wishing for sleep. But for many men, it's a nightly struggle. A lucky few get relief from counting sheep, watching late-night movies, or sipping warm milk or something stronger — but most people with insomnia need more assistance. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and behavioral treatment can help many sufferers, and medication is available for those who need it. Sleep is essential for health, providing rest and restoration for mind and body.