"Everybody has their own personal experience of sound and music. These things are quite nostalgic and subconscious," says McAllister."If you hear a piece of music or a certain sound, it might just remind you of a point in time. Since we've lived different experiences, we're going to find different things pleasing."
He adds that we also might crave different tunes from one night to the next, depending on the day we've had. This means that there isn't one song or series of songs that will appeal to everyone, all the time, and we should first consider the type of music we enjoy when crafting our personal bedtime soundtracks.This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Since our ancestors have long been attuned to the sound of other humans speaking, music that matches up to our human intonations is subconsciously appealing."When we talk, all the vowel sounds that we make have this quality of being tonal," Bowling explains."These tones are what music is, essentially."
He says we can use these parallels to our advantage by seeking music that sounds like the emotional experience we're trying to have. If you want to relax for bed, for example, think of how the voice of someone who is tired would sound: soft, steady, and straightforward. McAllister adds that smooth music with notes that gradually rise and then fall again can also register as reassuring and soothing.Again, music choice is personal.
that catchy choruses that get stuck in our heads can be especially disruptive to sleep. You're probably better off listening to something instrumental instead, especially right before bedtime., if you're looking to evoke a certain mood, it's beneficial to first play music that matches the mood you're currently in. So if you're anxious after a long day, you'd want to put on a song that mimics that feeling and then slowly transition into calmer and calmer tracks.