Are you looking for new ways to help drift off to sleep? Listening to soothing songs can be a great way to quiet your mind and fall asleep. Here’s a list of our top picks for best songs for sleep to help you wind down after a long day
Classical Music
Listening to classical music before going to sleep is very beneficial since it reduces both mental and physical tension.
By listening to the slower beats and harmonies, these kinds of songs will slow down your thoughts and lower your heart rate allowing your brain to reach a peaceful state.
In relaxing the body and mind, you will be able to achieve restful sleep easier.
Top classical songs include;
- Moonlight Sonata – Beethoven
- Ave Maria – Bach
- Laudate Dominum – Mozart
- Clair De Lune – Debussy
World Music
These are regional beats, melodies or chants that are widely recognized for their authenticity. They do not incorporate synthetic or robotic sounds in their composition as favoured in western pop music.
They are neutral and soothing with minimal vocals. This promotes a relaxed atmosphere allowing the brain to switch off for the night.
Top songs include;
- Amazonia – Deep Forest
- Echoes of Time – R. Carlos Nakai
- One Man’s Dream – Yanni
- May It Be – Enya
Contemporary Classical
Amid the fast pace, chaos, and noticeably robotic sounds of modern day music, contemporary classical music maintains the composition style and disciplines of the good old classical music.
Modern classical music preserves the slower beats and harmonies that are great for falling asleep to.
Top songs include;
- Seductive – Dominic Anderson
- Opus 23 – Dustin O’Halloran
- In The Morning Light – Yanni
- Calm Seas – Philippe Sanderos
Chill Out and Ambient Music
This kind of music encompasses a wide range of genres including jazz, pop, and blues. Chill out and ambient music follows a clear guideline with regard to rhythm and song structure.
It is characterised by slow tempos and a laid back mood. Needless to say, this is very soothing especially when you want to nod off.
Top songs include;
- A lovely Place To Be – Patrick O’Hearn
- Fearless – Future Zen
- The Promise – Ryan Farish
- Earth Garden – Nanda
Meditation Music and Nature Sounds
These are tunes and sounds that are created specifically to slow your breathing, lower your heart rate and blood pressure. They are very effective and widely adopted to enhance better sleep.
These include;
- Water sounds like flowing streams and rain
- Ocean waves and strong winds
- Animal and insect sounds
Pink and white noises also mimic nature sounds and are a great way to promote sound sleep.
How to Make Music Part of Your Sleep Routine
Listening to music can help you relax and can be a beneficial inclusion to your sleep routine. If you do decide to make music a part of your sleep routine, here are a few pointers for optimum sleep.
- Choose your music wisely. Listening to a song that matches your resting heart rate is soothing on a biological level. This allows both your body and mind to relax, boosting the quality and quantity of sleep you get.
- Avoid songs that will increase your heartbeat by evoking strong emotional reactions. Listen to pleasant songs with a slower tempo to increase serotonin levels and boost your mood.
- Maintain a regular bedtime routine. If it’s not possible to sleep at the same time every night, it is important to prepare your body to wind down the same way. Be consistent with your sleep rituals. If music is part of it, create a playlist or choose the songs you want to listen to beforehand. Also ensure your bedroom is optimised for a good night’s sleep.
- Use comfortable listening devices. Be mindful of what devices you choose to listen to music before you sleep. If you are using a speaker make sure that the volume is just right. Avoid using ear buds if they’re not specifically designed for sleeping. Invest in a good pair of sleep headphones to avoid hurting your ears while sleeping.
