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We’re no longer keeping quiet around bedtime.

A survey of 1,000 Americans carried out byTalker Researchfound sleep preferences have shifted between generations.

Woman smiling while she sleeps with headphones in and her arms overhead

Fine-tuning our listening and switching to soothing sounds is essential for conducing restorative, peaceful sleep.

How can noise help you sleep?

For years we’ve been searching for ways to block out sound at night.

A woman sleeping on her side wearing white top in bed with white sheets next to phone

Foam and silicone earbuds are popular sleep companions used to mufflenoisy neighboursor asnoring partner.

But now people are getting more experimental and using audio to help them drift off.

There are many ways intentional sleep sounds can help you sleep.

A woman sat cross legged in her pyjamas on her bed with her eyes closed and hands resting on each knee meditating

First, they can mask more disruptive noise pollution coming from outside your window.

They can also help promote relaxation by distracting you from anxious thoughts, quietening a busy mind before sleep.

Here are a handful of science-backed recommendations…

1.

A woman in an orange top napping on sofa next to plants with headphones on listening to binaural beats

There’s plenty of evidence indicating interactions with nature have a positive effect on relaxation and overall well-being.

Guided meditations

Our team of sleep gurus takes snoozing seriously.

Navigating the hundreds ofsleep meditationsonYouTubecan be overwhelming.

A woman sleeping in bed with white sheets on her side next to white noise machine, plant and incense diffuser on bedside table

So, how exactly do these meditations work, and which ones do we really recommend following?

After testing, we recommend the famousFloating Among The StarsandSleep Talk Down Guided Meditationby certified meditation teacher Jason Stephenson.

Sleep podcasts

Many podcast hosts probably don’t want you to fall asleep mid-episode.

Woman with headphones on listening to music

Hence, a bedtime podcast is a great alternative.

The aim of the game here is to slow down brainwave activity and induce alpha wave brain activity.

This promotes a calm state of mind, making it easier for you to fall asleep.

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White noise essentially provides a monotonous backdrop that drowns out other sound.

After prolonged use, your mind will come to associate the sound with sleep, helping you nod off.

The kind of music you find calming will depend on your music taste.

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But you’ll want to avoid stimulating lyrics and booming basses.

Experts, includingDr Mayank Shukla, generally recommend relaxing classical music or instrumental songs as effective sleep aids.

Wham’sWake Me Up Before You Go-Gowouldn’t be our go-to sleep track.

Momcozy Sunrise Alarm Clock:was $49.99now $39.99 at Amazon

But something like Conan Grey’sHeathershould do the trick.

From immersive cooking and cleaning videos to hair brushing, whispering and chewing (yuk!

), social media is obsessed with ASMR right now.

a collage of sleep tech gadgets including sleep headphones, a smart ring, sleep mask, smart bed and sunrise alarm clock

But can these sounds help you sleep?

Finding your ideal ASMR soundtrack for sleep will depend on personal preferences.

This will include sleeping on thebest mattressandbest pillowfor your sleep style and sleep needs.

A woman with long dark hair falls asleep quickly in a comfy bed dressed with soft white linens

Plus they have an audio fade-out feature so they switch off when you’re sound asleep.

You don’t want to miss this Amazon bargain.

It is complete with a library of snooze sounds including 17 nature sounds and 3 white noise options.

Woman lying down on the bed and smiling feeling comfortable

With 20% off now, it’s possible for you to get this gadget for $39.99.

A woman with red hair wearing a pink sleep headband sleeping on her side in white bed and white pyjamas

Woman sleeping on a white bed

A woman with curly black hair sleeps next to a man with light brown hair, both covered by a white comforter

The image shows a sleep deprived woman lying in bed and holding her hands over her eyes

A chocolate Easter egg in pink tin foil next to image of blonde woman in purple star patterned pyjamas struggling to sleep in bed with white sheets

A woman lying on her side sleeping with a handdrawn thought bubble over her head to show she�s thinking

A woman with dark brown hair lies on her side staring at the back of a white alarm clock that shows the time as 2.30am

A woman with short brown hair sitting on bed with white sheets with a glass of green Spirulina smoothie in hand

A woman with an afro sleeping on her side covered in grey duvet while she sweats in her sleep, thinking of a cooling mattress.

A woman with brown hair lies on her stomach on a grey colour Japanese floor mattress

A mattress we tested is dressed with neutral colour bed linens and pillows

Casper Wave Hybrid Snow review: woman lying on the mattress on her side, with her head on a pillow

A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.

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