Listening to music before you sleep: good or bad?

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Geektastic

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#271818 27-May-2020 22:48

I like the idea of listening to music before I head to bed.

However, I have found that doing so seems to completely ruin my sleep. I cannot fall asleep and end up tossing and turning for hours. This applies even if the music is peaceful and relaxing rather than energetic. I do not listen when actually in bed at all.

Oddly, I have many time fallen asleep whilst wearing headphones on flights.

Has anyone else found this? It seems illogical to me - peaceful, soothing music should help you feel tired and want to sleep, but recently it really hasn't done so.

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altered-ego
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#2493254 28-May-2020 00:35

I like the idea of falling asleep to music. Don't have any problems with tossing & turning.

I do know that if the music / TV continues to play all night long instead of switching off with a sleep timer, then I feel grumpy in the morning. 😫

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francisbaud

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#2493309 28-May-2020 07:30

It's weird that even relaxing music has this effect on you. Maybe you feel too strong emotions when listening to music and it perturbs your sleep?

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#2493335 28-May-2020 08:36

a lot of things ruin my sleep.

so it depends. if it ruins your sleep, don't if you don't want your sleep ruined.

Dulouz

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#2493337 28-May-2020 08:40

Watch out! All people I know that listen to music before sleeping eventually died.

Amanon

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#2493435 28-May-2020 10:28

francisbaud:

It's weird that even relaxing music has this effect on you. Maybe you feel too strong emotions when listening to music and it perturbs your sleep?

It is; it may not be the music, of course. We replaced our bed a couple of years ago and to be honest, despite it coming from the same maker and being the top of the tree at the time, neither my wife nor I have been as impressed with it as we were with the predecessor. There is a lot more - I think the technical term is - partner disturbance with this one and it may need replacing.

However, the music thing might fall into the same category as playing on my PS4, something else I have had to ban myself from doing close to bedtime!

I have a naturally noisy mind which is why I value peace and isolation so highly - I make enough internal noise with a brain that won't cease, so I really do not need external noise as well!

networkn

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#2493436 28-May-2020 10:28

I think like a lot of things, it would depend on a lot of factors. Listening to music before I sleep usually doesn't help me sleep as I like music. I want to listen to more, I get engaged, the beat might increase my adrenaline, and I suspect your cortisol is rising in response, which is causing your interrupted sleep.

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Geektastic

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#2493441 28-May-2020 10:33

networkn:

I think like a lot of things, it would depend on a lot of factors. Listening to music before I sleep usually doesn't help me sleep as I like music. I want to listen to more, I get engaged, the beat might increase my adrenaline, and I suspect your cortisol is rising in response, which is causing your interrupted sleep.

Could be; Since I am usually active listening rather than passive listening (as you know, we share an interest in the gear as well as the music, so it is hard not to try analysing the sound from that perspective as well) that may have some bearing.

josephhinvest

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#2493444 28-May-2020 10:39

I work shifts and sometimes need to go to bed early, like 7pm early. I will often listen to an audiobook with a timer to turn it off after 15 mins. Sometimes I’m asleep by then and sometimes I put it on for another 15.
Not much seems to affect how I sleep - generally poorly. Shift work for last 8 years, haven’t had much good sleep for the last several years 🥱

hsvhel

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#2493446 28-May-2020 10:39

I've been trying it recently in place of reading on the kindle. Seems to be working OK so far.

I do try to avoid certain types. Had a playlist switch from acoustic to acid house last week.....got me pumpin!!

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rugrat

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#2493518 28-May-2020 11:09

I listen to YouTube sleep music, set timer to 30 minutes. I’m asleep well before 30 minutes is up and feels a bit better sleep.

Also listen to isochronic tones for sleep, they knock me out real quick to. Don’t need headphones for them where with binaural beats do.

For safety:

“Most people have no trouble with binaural beat therapy. However, there’s at least a theoretical chance of running into trouble if you have epilepsy or an irregular heartbeat (especially if you have a pacemaker).”

and also don’t drive while listening.

Geektastic

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#2493598 28-May-2020 12:08

rugrat:

I listen to YouTube sleep music, set timer to 30 minutes. I’m asleep well before 30 minutes is up and feels a bit better sleep.

Also listen to isochronic tones for sleep, they knock me out real quick to. Don’t need headphones for them where with binaural beats do.

For safety:

“Most people have no trouble with binaural beat therapy. However, there’s at least a theoretical chance of running into trouble if you have epilepsy or an irregular heartbeat (especially if you have a pacemaker).”

and also don’t drive while listening.

As an aside for headphone fans, try and find some music recorded using binaural mics.

They have a dummy human with mics in the ears. The resulting recordings are really good through headphones.

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#2493657 28-May-2020 13:47

Do you experience ASMR?

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It describes a feeling of euphoric tingling and relaxation that can come over someone when he or she watches certain videos or hears certain sounds. ...
ASMR videos can be especially useful before bedtime. You might struggle to sleep at the weekends when you are out of your usual routine, or during the week when you are trying to switch off after work or studying. ASMR can also be used to de-stress, particularly if you struggle with more traditional meditation exercises. Watching a calming video can help hold your attention and pull your thoughts away from those niggling everyday tensions ...
It is thought that ASMR videos may help you sleep. Often linked to hypnosis, it is believed to create a deep state of relaxation. Techniques such as scalp massage, soothing noises and methodical work like towel folding, often cause people to experience ASMR. Many people find this sensation deeply relaxing and soothing. As ASMR has also been linked to mindfulness and meditation, it has helped some people overcome sleep disorders such as insomnia. ...

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jonathan18

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#2493676 28-May-2020 14:12

Well, I'd certainly not suggest moving from listening to music before sleep to listening to ASMR, including that designed for the very purpose of getting you to sleep.

I tried listening to this once or twice and, I seriously cannot work out how anyone can find it sleep-inducing to have someone whispering or tapping a pot in one's ear! Here's an example: (Edit - sorry, got the code wrong; try again):

But as a result of trying this sh!te I moved onto white noise type sounds - usually Google ASsistant's 'rain' or 'river' sounds, and that works a total charm in getting me to sleep.

networkn

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#2493711 28-May-2020 15:06

My go to now is Beach Storm sounds, heavy rain, crashing waves, occasional thunder, or rainforest sounds, are all good to help me.

Though reading usually knocks me out after about 15 minutes. Makes reading a book freaking slow though.

Geektastic

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#2493714 28-May-2020 15:11

networkn:

My go to now is Beach Storm sounds, heavy rain, crashing waves, occasional thunder, or rainforest sounds, are all good to help me.

Though reading usually knocks me out after about 15 minutes. Makes reading a book freaking slow though.

Mine too...oh no - wait - that is my wife snoring...! 🤫

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