For good reason, a lot of people have a particular place in their hearts for bedtime stories. In addition to its nostalgic sleep significance, bedtime stories may benefit adults as well, according to recent studies.
According to a recent study, if calming words are spoken before bed, they may have even greater benefits if they persist while you sleep. We’ll talk about this intriguing experiment and why relaxing words may soon be added to the list of potential sleep aids, along with white noise and ocean waves, in the discussion that follows.
The Effects of Tranquil Sounds on Sleep
The study, which was published in the Journal of Sleep Research, discovered that there was an increase in the length of deep sleep and affective quality of sleep when calming words were played during non-rapid-eye movement sleep (NREM) (1).
They investigated the effects of word presentation on ECG (heartbeat) activity during NREM sleep to reach these conclusions. When relaxing words were presented, they noticed that the interval between heartbeats was longer than when control phrases were shown. This suggests that the relaxing words caused a particular slowdown in cardiac activity.
Also, they discovered that heart activity, rather than brain activity, provides information about the depth and modulation of sleep, demonstrating the significance of taking physiological signals into account when examining sleep processes.
Most of the sleep-related research concentrates just on the brain, not the entire body. This study, however, demonstrates that your body is still sensitive to noises in your surroundings, even while you are sleeping, which can affect your heart rate and the quality of your sleep.
There are several layers to this concept. Initially, people who have trouble getting adequate deep sleep or who notice a greater heart rate while they sleep may find it helpful to listen to calming music. Moreover, research demonstrates that the length and quality of deep sleep are significantly influenced by your environment, especially your aural environment.
Why is Deep Sleep Important?
Together, the many sleep stages enable you to rejuvenate your body and mind and awaken feeling well refreshed.
After two stages of light sleep, deep sleep, sometimes referred to as slow-wave sleep, is the third stage of sleep. This stage, which lasts from 20% to 25% of our sleep, promotes the growth of muscles and tissues as well as cellular repair.
Said another way, you deprive your body of the opportunity to adequately recuperate from the day if you don’t get enough deep sleep. Therefore, it’s worthwhile to take the time to optimize your sleeping environment and perhaps even try out some calming words if you feel that you’re not getting enough deep sleep.
You can purchase a sound machine that plays recorded bedtime stories or look up calming phrases on YouTube. Whatever you decide, for best effects, leave it on (of course, at a low volume) throughout the evening.
![Improve Sleep Quality With This Unexpected Sleep Sound](https://i0.wp.com/jasminefeliciano.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Improve-Sleep-Quality-With-This-Unexpected-Sleep-Sound-PIN-1.png?resize=683%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)
While you’re at it, it might be prudent to improve other aspects of your wind-down regimen. Keeping your room cool—ideally between 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit—purchasing comfortable, high-quality linens, and considering melatonin-free sleep aids are a few strategies to achieve this.
Now, see your doctor for a more individualized strategy if you’ve tried everything and have seen little to no improvement in your sleep.
To Wrap Things Up
According to a recent study, playing calming music while a person is in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep increases the length and quality of deep sleep. If you choose to try this sleep sound, make sure to play it quietly throughout the night. For even better effects, try combining it with expert-recommended cleaning alternatives for better sleep—here are a few more to think about.
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