Sleep is an integral component of good physical and mental health. Sleep gives your organs and muscles the time they need to relax and repair damaged cells. However, due to unhealthy lifestyle habits and increasing stress at work or school, most people don’t get the sleep they need. The sleep experts at Sweet Island Dreams believe that many common sleep issues today can be resolved by making simple lifestyle changes. Listening to music is one effective suggestion.
How Does Meditation Music Work?
Meditation music is rhythmic and soothing. There are no jarring notes and no shrill voices. Many people have reported that this type of music has a calming effect on the mind and body. Some individuals have also claimed that it helps them to focus, and become more mindful.
The relaxing nature of meditation music makes it an excellent tool to reduce tension and stress. As mentioned earlier, stress is one of the major factors that contribute to a lack of sleep and poor mental health. Studies show that music triggers the release of dopamine and serotonin into the brain. These neurotransmitters promote a positive mindset and relaxation, which contribute to better sleep.
What are the Advantages of Listening to Meditation Music at Bedtime?
Soothing music has a positive impact on the human brain. Here are a few ways you can benefit from listening to music before you go to bed:
- Enhanced Sleep Quality – Music helps to lower stress levels. When you go to bed with less stress, you are more likely to experience more restful sleep.
- Effortless and Instant Relaxation – Listening to soothing music requires little to no effort and can help you to release pent up tension almost immediately. The faster you can unwind and feel relaxed, the faster you will fall asleep.
- Improved Memory – Sleep is important for cognitive functions such as attention and the consolidation of memory. As music can increase the quality of your sleep, it can have a downstream positive impact on your memory skills.
- Strong Heart Health – When you get adequate sleep, your body is able to rest and recover from damage or strenuous activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adults who sleep less than hours per night are more likely to have heart attack, heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. As music can help you to get the sleep your body needs, it can boost your heart health.
- Increased Pain Resistance – Chronic pain is a major reason people have trouble falling asleep. However, relaxing music can increase people’s pain tolerance and help them to fall asleep fast and stay asleep longer. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Research, playing prerecorded music before, during, and after surgery reduced people’s pain by 10% and reduced their anxiety by 21%. Both of these factors directly contribute to better sleep quality.
- Mood Improvement – It is harder for you to fall asleep when you are anxious or angry. However, good music can lighten your mood and may even bring back happy memories from the past. When negative thoughts are not weighing you down, you will be able to sleep better.
What Should You Consider While Listening To Music
Although listening to music is generally considered to be a healthy hobby, there are certain things you need to keep in mind for your long term health. A couple reminders are listed below:
- Ear Wax – Listening to music with ear buds over an extended period of time can cause the wax in your ear to clog your ear canal. This may lead to issues such as headaches, dizziness, and a temporary reduction in your hearing until you get your ear cleaned.
- Necrosis – If you fall asleep without removing your ear buds or headphones, you may limit the blood flow to the tissues that make up your outer ear and ear canal. Reduced blood flow may cause necrosis in these tissues. Necrosis is a condition where some of the cells in living tissue die prematurely and leave a dark colored blotch or scar.
Bottom Line
Listening to meditation music is a great way to lift your mood, relax, and fall asleep. The more restful sleep you are able to get, the better your physical and mental health will be. Talk to your doctor if you have been experiencing sleep issues for a prolonged period of time. If intrusive thoughts or flashback are keeping you up, you may benefit from talking to a licensed therapist in your area.
