“Based on the findings of the study, we have evidence that the musical features we uncovered appeared to be more important than the genre in aiding sleep,” he says. In fact, individuals can fall asleep to a wide variety of music genres. The research also suggests it’s not just classical music or lullabies that can help people sleep. “In music terms, the music had quite a dark mix, it was legato, and was not complex or strong in rhythmic activity,” Mr Dickson says. The study revealed music that aided sleep had more emphasis in lower frequencies such as a stronger bass, had a slow and sustained duration of musical notes, and had non-danceable rhythms.

We identified that music successfully used for sleep had certain musical properties, compared to music that was unsuccessful.” Musical features to aid sleep “In this study, we asked individuals about what music they’ve used in the past, and did it successfully help them sleep.

“While previous studies of music as a sleep aid have shown music to be beneficial in helping sleep, little research has investigated the specific features of music that have improved sleep,” Mr Dickson says. His latest study with Professor Emery Schubert, Musical Features that Aid Sleep, published in Musicae Scientia, goes one step further, identifying the specific characteristics of music that is successful in aiding sleep.

As well as inducing relaxation and a sleepier state, music offers a distraction from stressful thoughts and can also mask out distracting noises in the environment. “Music has a solid evidence base as one of the better researched non-pharmacological sleep aids that can improve individual’s sleep, both in terms of insomnia and the quality of sleep,” he says.Īccording to Mr Dickson’s research, listening to music changes what can be a stressful experience of trying to sleep into a more pleasant one. The music psychology researcher says listening to music at bedtime can not only help people fall asleep quicker but also improve sleep quality. UNSW PhD student in the science of music for sleep, Thomas Dickson says that listening to music could hold the answer to a better night’s sleep. But if you’re one of the many people who struggle to switch off come bedtime, the findings of a new study might give you some hope – and the songs – you need to help you get your dream on. Perhaps there’s nothing quite as frustrating as trying and failing to fall asleep.

Soft classical music for sleeping