Calming Noises to Help Me Sleep

Calming sounds have long been associated with soothing people to sleep. David N. Neubauer, an associate director of the Johns Hopkins Sleep Disorders Center in Baltimore, Maryland, tells "The New York Times" that there is just something "fundamentally soothing about background noise." It helps people avoid focusing on little noises that might otherwise keep them awake. There are several ways to access these pleasant background noises electronically, including CDs, cell phone apps, MP3 players and digital noise machines.

Water Sounds

• Soft water sounds are known to be relaxing.

  The sound of water is very soothing and helpful in falling asleep. Noises of rain, falling water, babbling brooks or waves crashing all are wonderful background noises for a peaceful rest. There are even small electric water fountains that provide the sounds of a trickling stream over polished rocks.

Night Sounds

• The natural sound of night is very calming.

  The sounds of the night are very relaxing and soothing background noises for restful sleep. Crickets, bullfrogs, owls and other sounds in the near and distant darkness have been nature's lullaby for generations to those sleeping under the stars or next to an open window.

Soft Music

• The soft sounds of singing have been used for centuries to calm babies.

  There are so many types of music that are wonderfully soft and lilting. Loud, jarring music is not an effective background noise, but soft music, either instrumental or vocal, has been used since the dawn of time to soothe fussy babies to sleep. It works on most adults, too.

Reading

• The sound of someone reading softly can soothe you.

  The sound of someone reading softly out loud is a wonderful, age-old sleep enhancer. Like a bedtime story, we associate being read to as a comforting, safe feeling. Gentle changes in tempo and volume, the spoken word can be one of the most calming noises to help you sleep. Listening to audio books is a great way to wind down and relax.