Many times, even when you’re already exhausted down to the bone, you often find yourself wide awake instead of passing out cold. Perhaps it’s because you’re too worn out physically and mentally, or maybe adrenaline still hasn’t been flushed out of your system yet. However, sleep disorders are likely to occur as well, namely, insomnia.
Whatever the root of your sleeping problem is, it doesn’t change how much this is ruining your health. After all, sleep plays a huge role in making oneself lead a happy life. So, if you want to take control of it instead of the other way around, you’d want to look up remedies on how to resolve it once and for all. And one of these solutions can be found in noise.
Does Noise Help With Sleep?
Now, it may sound ironic since noise is typically the last thing you’ll need to catch up on sleep. But what you didn’t know is how different kinds of noise can affect your brain, and these are:
- Continuous noise
- Intermittent noise
- Impulsive noise
- Low-frequency noise
Although the first three types differ in sound levels, it doesn’t erase how distracting they can get, especially if you have sensitive ears. So, while you can read more about other tips for a night of undisturbed sleep, you might want to look into low-frequency noise, which is described as subtle yet encompassing.
Under low-frequency noise, there are many categories differentiating various frequencies from one another. Because it uses low frequency, this kind of noise works better at masking background noises. Take white noise, for example. This is the most well-known low-frequency noise, since you can hear it from common sources such as the television or vacuum.
By blocking out those distracting noises, the sound levels found in your environment will be balanced in favor of ambiance. But, of course, some people are sensitive to white noise. As such, TV static and vacuuming might not sound pleasant to them. If that’s the case, why not give pink noise a try?
What Is Pink Noise?
Pink noise is another type of low-frequency noise right next to white noise. Because of this, you could say it has the same function as white noise. But in this case, pink noise emphasizes frequencies lower than what you can hear from white noise.
With pink noise, you get to enjoy lower frequencies that might grow on you once you hear it. After all, as mentioned earlier, not everyone is comfortable listening to constantly high-pitched sounds. Fittingly, pink noise is often found in nature.
However, some apps can simulate these sounds if you’re living somewhere far away from nature. The best example here is the steady downpour of rain. Pair this while you’re all bundled up in bed to fend off the cold, which could lull anyone to sleep.
You can listen to the leaves getting rustled by the wind if that doesn’t work. Or maybe waves lapping on the shore can soothe your mind. But if you’re not comfortable with the idea of leaving your phone on to play these sounds, you could even use a fan on a low setting to emulate pink noise.
Of course, to clear things up, not every noise from nature is considered pink noise. Only a few might enjoy listening to rolling thunder in their sleep as well as the loud rush of a waterfall.
So, to narrow down your selection of natural noises, choose those that are set low to blanket other background noises in your environment, or slow down your cognitive functions to have sleep set in.
What Else Can Pink Noise Do?
There are many reasons why you might have sleep problems, and they’re as follows:
- Health conditions
- Medical issues
- Mental disorders
- Environmental disturbances
But regardless of what its root cause is, in the end, your mind remains active despite your body’s desire for rest. Without anything to distract you from yourself, you might be left waiting to fall asleep until morning comes.
And although using your phone is an effective time-waster, it could leave you distracted from your issues. However, since you’re exposing yourself to digital activity, your cognitive functions will remain active throughout the night.
Therefore, pink noise aims to muffle these distractions by remaining ‘omnipresent’ yet subtle at the same time. You’re likely to fall asleep without your knowledge if you have something to focus on. And because you’re getting proper sleep, you’ll be recharging your brain properly. In doing so, most of its cognitive functions are enhanced, such as:
- Having a good memory
- Improved sleep quality
- Regulates hormones, and more
Since sleep is one of your body’s needs, nearly every health aspect could be boosted. Furthermore, it may increase your chances of avoiding chronic health conditions.
Is Pink Noise For Everyone?
As mentioned earlier, not everyone would like to listen to white noise to fall asleep. The same idea goes for pink noise. Admittedly, these low-frequency noises are hit and miss.
Some would testify to how white noise works for them, while others insist pink noise is better. Therefore, trying it out yourself is highly recommended if you’re looking for ways to improve your sleep quality.
