Sleep
Want to Sleep Better? — Listening to Classical Music May Help
Sweet and soothing sounds to help you drift into sleep
Ask an insomniac what their greatest wish is and they will surely tell you a long and restful sleep.
But would they believe you if you told them that classical music may help them do just that?
Probably not but if you read on you can discover why, with some careful planning, you can choose music which will really help you to get to sleep.
Most of us know that there are many health benefits associated with music and can be an important aid to help reduce stress, boost your immune system and also lower blood pressure. In this story, we are concentrating on getting better sleep by using classical music.
1. Choose your composers wisely
Go for soothing and gentler music rather than noisy and rumbustious music like Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture where the cannons will definitely keep you awake! The best composers for quieter music are Chopin, Handel, Mozart and Bach.
If we want to get a bit technical, experts tell us that music with a steady regular rhythm (60–80 beats per minute) with some softer soothing tunes are really the best. But it will always be your choice. Here are some of my favorites:-
- Chopin — Nocturne №2, Op.9
- Bach’s Air on the G string,
- Debussy’s Clair de Lune
- Adagietto in Mahler’s 5th Symphony.
- Chopin- Berceuse in D flat opus 57
Here is Valentina Lisitsa playing Chopin’s Berceuse in D flat.
2. Music will help your body and mind to relax
Racing fretful thoughts are perfect for stress and anxiety. They make great couples and threesomes. They can cause an increase in your heartbeat and that will prevent your breathing from slowing down. We need slower music to relax the heart and the whole body.
A research project carried out in Taiwan found that listening to music was especially helpful for elderly folk in improving the quality of their sleep.
3. Know where to get your music
There are lots of apps now where you can get a great selection for your nightly dose of classical music.
AccuRadio is great because you can blend and mix channels to get just the right blend for you.
A free app called Classical KUSC is another favorite of mine.
4. Let the healing power of music help you sleep
How many times have we been unwell or ill? It can be very hard to get off to sleep and when it does come, it is a powerful healing force.
Arthritis is a problem for older folk and I can tell you it can keep you awake! Music can help reduce pain in arthritis patients by up to 21%. It could also aid depressed patients. This remedy is mentioned in the Journal of Advanced Nursing.
Another study researched stroke patients in Finland. The ones who made the greatest progress in trying to regain their attention span were doing much better when they listened to classical music or jazz. When they compared their progress with those who were not listening to any music, the difference was noticeable.
5. Music blocks out irritating background noise
You know the scene. You are just about to get off to sleep when a car alarm goes off, noisy neighbors shout their opinions and beliefs or a yappy dog wants attention.
You will need practice to tune these out. The opposite scenario is when you have to sleep in a peaceful country spot and it is too quiet!
Having your favorite classical music pieces can block out all this noise especially as these familiar sounds are inducive to sleep and they are calming and relaxing.
If you have insomnia you are not alone. Probably just one of the 40 million Americans who toss and turn all night.
Time to listen to classical music before bedtime. Sweet dreams!
“Perhaps it is music that will save the world.” ― Shinichi Suzuki, Nurtured by Love: The Classic Approach to Talent Education