The Benefits of Sleeping with White Noise
White noise is defined as a random noise with a uniform frequency spectrum over a wide range of frequencies. You may consider white noise the sound of TV static, a fan, or the hum of an air conditioner. While white noise is a specific frequency, these things do have a very similar sound and use.
White noise machines are used in a variety of settings like offices to block out distracting noise, to help with tinnitus, and above all to help sleep!
“White noise” is also known as “white sound,” and it’s one of many sounds. Along with black noise, pink noise, brown noise, and other noise, sound technicians have studied and determined the differences and uses for these different “colored” noises.
White noise is every frequency the human ear can hear playing in random order at the same amplitude. Think: The “shh” sound of an out-of-order TV channel or the ceiling fan.
It’s called white noise because it is similar to the presentation of white light. White light occurs when every color on the spectrum is bright and combines to be white. The opposite of white noise is black noise, which is complete silence.
Sleep is crucial to our overall health and wellness. If there’s an easy way to up your sleep quality, you’d do it, right?! That just might be adding in white noise.
Let’s get one thing out of the way: If you’re someone who requires a completely silent environment to sleep, white noise isn’t for you.
But, white noise can be the answer for those who have trouble ignoring noises when trying to sleep or are easily awoken by sounds from sleep. Even those with insomnia have seen great benefits from white noise in sleep latency and sleep quality in studies!
Not to be outdone, the similar and also beneficial “pink noise” is another option to improve sleep and has been proven to have many benefits as well.
Pink noise may be more tolerable for those sensitive to a lot of noise but still benefit from the soft, calming noise when falling asleep. Pink noise has been shown to decrease brain wave activity and therefore supports your sleep process. Additionally, in another study, a link between pink noise and deep sleep was found.
Whichever you prefer, white or pink noise can both improve your sleep overall. From how long it takes you to fall asleep, to the ability to stay asleep and not wake from small noises throughout the night.
More Uses For White Noise
It doesn’t stop at sleep! Your white noise machine can be used throughout the day and across demographics for various reasons.
Studies have shown anxiety and stress increase in loud environments or cities with a lot of noise, this fact goes hand in hand with the stress relief and anxiety support white noise can produce.
Another common use of white noise is for meditation. Meditation is a practice many enjoy in a similar environment as sleep is done: Quiet, comfortable, peaceful. White noise can assist in blocking out outside noise which is probably more common during your daytime practice.
Even more uses:
- Helps babies relax and sleep better
- Calming dementia patients
- Improve brain function in adults with attention deficit disorder, decrease in off-task behavior in those with attention deficit disorder
- Dogs with separation anxiety
What we can gather from studies is that different brains require different levels of noise to be productive and at peak ability. So try it out and see what works for you! You never know how much improvement you might see in white or pink noise during the day or night’s sleep.
While fans and other noises can simulate similar noise to white noise, using a sound machine is your best bet since it is a specific frequency to be white noise.
We encourage you to try white (or pink) noise when you think you need it, but we want to be clear this is not something you should use ALL day. It’s important your brain is hearing normal, everyday noises most of the time (especially babies).
Our Hatch Restore provides noise options from rain to white noise to meditations and more. In addition, it offers a reading light, alarm, sunrise wake up, digital clock, phone app, and personalized routines.
If you find white noise is your secret to the best sleep ever, the good news is you can bring it anywhere! No more insomnia when sleeping away from home or waking up to a loud roommate. Bring your white noise with you to always fall asleep fast, and stay asleep through the night!