Could music really be your sleep therapist?

Written by: Deepa

18 June 2025

Having trouble falling asleep like tossing & turning each night? You are not alone; there are many others with the same problem. 

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The right music can help induce relaxation in your nervous system and improve their sleep experience. Let's look at how and what to listen to.

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Music can impact our brainwaves, heart rate, & stress hormone levels. Having slow, steady rhythms help the brain to transition from an alert state to a relaxed state; which is what we want to really have excellent sleep that is deep & restful.

Why Music Works for Sleep?

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Go with slow soft instrumental music, classical music, nature sounds, slow calm ambient music. You want it to be at a tempo of about 60–80 BPM. Avoid music with an upbeat tempo or lyrics because they will keep your brain alert. 

Best Music Types for Sleep

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Make a playlist with tracks that spontaneously move you and last from 30 to 60 minutes. Avoid making your sound playlist a shuffled format; each night, it will be similar and the time the song plays is important. Your brain will learn that it is sleep time and this will cue sleeping.

Create a Bedtime Playlist

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Make sure you do not place the playlist or song on play all night long! Most sound developing apps have a sleep timer option to stop the sound after a number of minutes.

Use a Sleep Timer

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Try to have your bedtime playlist play around the same time each night. This way, you will develop a routine that you can attach to sleep and strengthened your body's sleep/wake rhythm.

Make It a Routine

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Pillow speakers and Bluetooth speakers on low are better than earbuds; with the alternative leaving some discomfort and harder for the body to become more relaxed.

Ditch the Headphones

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When made good choices and used in the right way, music can be a gentle yet powerful tool to assist with sleep. Consider adding it to your night time wind down process and allow your body to fully unwind with ease.

Final Takeaway

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