Many of us need complete silence to fall asleep. However, there is another type of people for whom the lack of sound is tantamount to a rock band playing in their bedroom. Silence seems too “loud” to them. If you hear ringing in your ears or experience panic attacks in a quiet room while trying to sleep, check with your doctor. If you just sleep better to the sound of a waterfall, this is normal, and in this article, you will learn how to fall asleep faster.
Main Reasons You Prefer Noise While You Sleep
First, accept this peculiarity of yours because many people cannot get enough sleep if the room is too quiet. There can be many reasons for this:
- Inability to stop the flow of annoying thoughts that appear when there is no distracting background noise;Â
- Habit: People who grew up in a busy place (like next to a roadway) sleep better with white noise;Â
- A lot of ambient noise: When someone constantly slams doors in your house or a neighbor’s dog barks, you perceive these sounds more acutely in silence;Â
- Feeling safe and comfortable: Many people need to simulate that someone is next to them (listening to TV and podcasts at night).
What to Do if You Cannot Sleep in Complete Silence?
The solution for better sleep is listening to white noise. What you definitely do not need to do is fall asleep with the TV turned on. Screen blue light reduces the production of the sleep hormone melatonin, and changing sounds can wake you up in the middle of the night. Try the following methods:
- Choosing the best earbuds for sleeping will allow you to easily fall asleep while listening to podcasts, relaxing music, the sound of a waterfall, birdsong, jungle sounds, and so on. The earbuds cancel out outside noise, so you hear only what you want to hear. At the same time, you will not wake up those members of your family who prefer deathly silence at night;
- A running fan creates a sound similar to white noise. Such background sounds can drown out or mask harsh and loud sounds (alarms, barking dogs, etc.). In addition, the ventilation in the bedroom has a beneficial effect on the air quality, which will allow you to sleep better;
- Use white-noise machines. This is a good alternative to TV if you can afford to listen to noise without headphones. Small devices have many features and a variety of sounds to choose from;
- Decorative waterfalls with murmuring water. If you are not confused by the sound of running water, which has a different effect on people’s reflexes, then this is a good option. You can choose both a more budget option and an expensive one, but they give the same effect: imitation of sleep by the water. An aquarium can also be a good alternative. If you have always dreamed of fish, you have one more reason to get them.
Find a Way to Calm Your Mind
Everyone has different preferences and habits, and if you’re an anxious person, you’re more likely to need some background noise while you sleep. Use these methods to ensure quality rest. What is the ideal environment for you to have a restful sleep?
