Sounds of nature that help people sleep better

Sleep is something many of us can struggle with. There can be many reasons why we may struggle to sleep including the stress of work, pain, or even our mental health. We may also forget to prioritise sleep due to our busy lifestyles. But sleep is incredibly important for our wellbeing, and so it needs to be a focus in our life.

If you struggle with sleep, like many of us do, you are in luck, and have come to the right place. It can be super hard to switch off and wind down to have a restful night’s sleep. But there are some great ways to help promote good quality sleep. This can include having a bath an hour before bed, working on your routine, or reducing your caffeine consumption.

Other great options that have been proven to be beneficial are mindfulness and meditation. It can also be really helpful to spend time in nature for our overall well being. By combining the two, listening to nature sounds as part of meditation can be incredibly therapeutic. Nature sleep sounds can be found on YouTube, in many free mobile apps, or on music stations like Spotify.

Throughout this article, we will talk through some common nature sounds for you to try. Why not give some a trial and see which you find most relaxing. They may just be what you need to help you to achieve those ever-precious zzz’s.

The rain – sleep sounds of nature

Have you ever had a super cosy night indoors where you can hear the rain outside hitting the window? If this is your idea of heaven, then this could be the perfect sound to help you drift off to sleep. The sound of rain is often seen as calming, predictable, and stable. The steady noise of rainfall as you drift off to sleep can help lull the brain into a calm meditative state. This simple but relaxing sound can be just what our overstimulated brains need to wind down and relax.

The sea – sleep sounds of nature

Do you love being near the sea? For some people, it is their favourite place to be. There is something super therapeutic about hearing the crashing and swelling of each wave. There is nothing like that whooshing sound of being by the ocean on a warm day whilst you watch the sun set or rise. The reason why it is so calming to listen to the ocean is that the soothing sound of moving water triggers a response in our brain that induces a flood of neurochemicals. These chemicals help our brain and body to feel relaxed.

The forest – sleep sounds of nature

How do you feel when you are in nature? Many of us feel calm and at peace when in somewhere like a forest. There is something tranquil and calming about hearing the breeze through the trees or the gentle sounds of a stream or waterfall nearby. In fact, being in nature has been proven to have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Studies show that hearing nature sounds from a forest have been linked to a decrease in people’s ‘fight or flight response’ (the response activated when we are stressed). So, it is no surprise that sounds of the forest can be a firm favourite for people to drift off to sleep to.

Wildlife – sleep sounds of nature

There is actual science behind why wildlife nature sounds can be more beneficial for our health than hearing artificial sounds. Sounds of wildlife have been found to increase our ‘rest and digest’ system, the system which is activated when we feel nice and relaxed. Hearing songbirds serenade you or crickets hard at work can really put you into that relaxing zone whilst you drift off to sleep. There may be certain wildlife sounds that you find more relaxing than others, so give a few different options a try and see which works best for you.

Where to find these sounds?

As mentioned, many of these sounds can be found for free on YouTube. If you also use Spotify, why not search for your favourite sounds above and create a playlist with your favourites. Some great apps to try with a huge range of natural sleep sounds include ‘Calm’ or ‘Headspace’. Find whichever way best suits you, but it’s good to try choosing one of the options to listen to as part of your routine before bed. This will help you to wind down.

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