Sleep has never come easily to me, and that makes it hard to get the amount of sleep I probably should be getting. So I’m always on the lookout for solutions that can help me fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer!
Currently, my sleep routine centers around two things: using Slumber blend (either on my feet or in my diffuser) and listening to the “pink noise.” I’ve learned quite a bit recently about different types of noise that can help you sleep, so I wanted to share some of that with you today!
Related: This Is The Only Thing That Helps Me Sleep Without Feeling Groggy
Let’s start by talking about 3 different types of noise (or “colors of noise”) that can help with sleep issues, and then I’ll share a simple way to bring those sleep-enhancing noises into your bedroom!
3 Types Of Noise That Can Help You Sleep
1. White Noise
White noise, the most well known color of noise, sounds like a radio that is tuned to an unused frequency. Similar to the way white light contains the full spectrum of visible light, white noise has an equal intensity across all frequencies that are audible to the human ear.
Some people, who find that the background or ambient noise of a room makes it difficult to fall asleep, use white noise to mask it. This practice was replicated in a 2017 study, where researchers found that individuals with insomnia fell asleep faster when listening to white noise versus ambient sound.
2. Pink Noise
Pink noise is similar to white noise, but the intensity of the higher frequencies is reduced rather than remaining equal. The sound is closer to steady rainfall rather than an untuned radio, which some people find more soothing and better for sleep.
Studies that have explored how pink noise may affect sleep quality suggest potential benefits like increased time in deep sleep and improvement in memory!
3. Brown Noise
Brown noise, sometimes called Brownian noise or red noise, has even less intensity at higher frequencies than pink noise. Whereas pink noise sounds like steady rainfall, brown noise sounds more like heavy rain or even a rushing waterfall.
Brown noise may offer similar benefits to pink and white noise, including sleep improvement, improved focus, and relaxation. Different people prefer different colors of noise, so try them all to figure out which one you like best!
My Noise Machine Pick: Adaptive Sound Technologies LectroFan
In the past, my husband insisted on keeping a small fan running in our bedroom as a source of sleep-inducing “white noise.” I didn’t mind the sound of the fan running, but I did mind how dusty the fan would get and how impossible it was to clean!
So I started looking into noise machines online, and eventually decided on the LectroFan. It boasted a variety of different fan sounds and I liked the compact and modern design. (And of course, it didn’t hurt that it looked very easy to wipe clean!) 😉
I eventually started testing out the other sounds our new noise machine offered, including white noise, pink noise, and brown noise. I ended up really enjoying the pink noise setting, and I feel like it truly makes a difference in how long it takes me to fall asleep!
While the LectroFan noise machine is obviously a bit more expensive than a simple bedroom fan, it was worth every penny in my opinion. I would recommend it to anyone who sleeps better with a bit of background noise!
Do you listen to sleep sounds or any sort of noise to help you sleep?
