The sounds of nature will help you sleep longer
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Listening to the sounds of rain, crackling wood in the fireplace, or a favorite story before bed has become an evening habit for many people, like a glass of warm milk or taking a bath.
A new study has found that listening to nature sounds or audio stories before bed can actually extend sleep by an average of 30 minutes.
It turns out that those who use smartphone sleep apps up to three times a week can get about three and a half extra hours of sleep. They are also less likely to suffer from anxiety or depression.
Experts believe apps can distract us from anxiety and stress and reduce brain activity known as sympathetic arousal before bed, helping us drift off to sleep.
Increased demands at work, high levels of stress and increased use of digital technologies have resulted in more people struggling with sleep problems. Although seven to nine hours of sleep each night is recommended as the optimal amount of sleep, it is estimated that one in five adults is still sleep deprived.
Sleep apps have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, some of which are even recommended by health authorities.
The most popular ones tend to play soothing sounds like rain or offer bedtime stories read by famous people.
In one of the first studies of its kind, scientists wanted to find out if using these tools actually helps you fall asleep.
The study involved 300 people who, after a survey, received an assessment of their sleep habits.
They completed questionnaires on sleepiness and fatigue during normal waking hours, as well as on performance at work.
About 180 people continued to listen to natural sounds of nature or stories to help them fall asleep or fall asleep again. At the start of the study, the average sleep time was six hours and 15 minutes. At the end, this time increased by 30 minutes. The time spent falling asleep was also reduced by a third to less than 30 minutes.
Christina DENISYUK.
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