Every now and then, we’re asked via our Twitter account about music. People want to know if listening to music when trying to sleep is a good idea. Others want specific song recommendations.
Everyone is different – a song that will lull one person to sleep may drive someone else to despair. For some people, no music will help them sleep. Again, we aren’t doctors, but the advice we have picked up is this:
Only listen to music you are already familiar with – if you try listening to new music, your brain will stay active as it listens to the vocals/instrumentals. This may actually make falling asleep more difficult.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, we came across an interesting read from Paste Magazine. They list 12 songs to cure insomnia. ‘Cure’ might be too bold a claim, but it might be worth checking out if you’re getting desperate! Feel free to share your thoughts about music as a sleep aid in the comments below. Does listening to music work for you? If so, feel free to share the titles of specific songs.
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The ones that I find have meaning to me, so I don’t know if anyone else will be able to get anything from them.
What a wonderful world-Louis Armstrong
It reminds me of better days when my insomnia wasn’t as bad.
Right where it belongs-Nine Inch Nails
This song helps me get through my physical leg pain and insomnia.
It makes me feel like the world is just here, and that’s it, I feel open and free and like all my problems vanish.
Thanks for sharing, Frank – I wonder if music that helps people sleep is more down to the relaxing memories they can evoke rather than the actual tunes themselves?
I have to agree, I think it’s definitely down to the relaxing memories, or the fact music can influence a more positive, calming energy. My favourite singer is Ryan Cabrera, so I just throw all his songs on shuffle & repeat. And set my iPod auto-shut-off clock to 1-hour and i’m able to fall asleep.
Definitely try it with your favourite artist! Something more calming, I don’t think you could fall asleep to hard metal… haha!
Thanks for the suggestions, Lisa! Yes, I’d imagine falling asleep to heavy metal would be a bit of a challenge too, but you never know!