How much control do we have over our sleep environment? We may be able to choose the best mattress and pillow, but when it comes to disturbing nighttime noises, we often have to settle for what our local environment has to offer. If I could dictate my sleep sounds, I would make sure the Alaskan Malamute who lives next door doesn’t cry mournfully between 12 noon and 7 a.m.
But just because we can’t stop ambient noise doesn’t mean we can’t control what we hear at night. a questionnaire Commissioned by hotel chain Premier Inn, it has been found that 50 percent of people use white noise to fall asleep at least some of the time, while 26 percent listen to it every night. And it turns out we all dream of rainy evenings, with 40 percent of white noise listeners choosing rain as their top soothing sound.
But is a wet night really what we want to imagine as we drift away? With the launch of its new white noise service – NodFlix – Premier Inn is helping us dream a little bigger by tapping into our secret sleep fantasy: snuggling on a luxurious hotel mattress during a decadent weekend away with a sumptuous breakfast waiting in the morning.
Inspired by ASMR, the NodFlix soundscapes are the kind of quiet background noise you’d expect to hear in a hotel. It’s the suitcases rolling down the hallway, the brush of luxurious linens as you sink into bed, the elevator doors opening in the penthouse suite… It’s the sound of soothing luxury, and yes, you can still hear the clatter of raindrops. in the distance. (Or for a hotel-style upgrade, switch to the sound of a rain shower.)
Creating this optimal soundscape can potentially help your brain slow down and shut down, making it easier for you to fall into a deeper sleep. Each part of your soundscape should be chosen based on how you feel: relaxed, calm and peaceful. Stay away from sounds that could cause excitement or stress. Those surveyed said the sound of a vacuum cleaner was the least relaxing, and if you’ve ever vacuumed stairs, it’s not hard to guess why.
What about sounds to wake you up? Perhaps unsurprisingly, being startled awake by a screeching alarm may not be the best way to start the morning. Instead, the best iPhone alarms to wake up have simple melodies and low frequencies, for a gentle transition from sleep to wake.
But with an ASMR soundscape you can choose the sounds that really make you want to get out of bed. Sizzling bacon, a boiling kettle, toast being cut in half: the tantalizing dream of an awaiting breakfast. While these sounds may wake you up, your morning can take a downward turn when you realize that cappuccino and a hot breakfast were imaginary.
At the moment, the NodFlix service is quite limited. If you want an ASMR soundscape for sleep, your best bet is to create your own. Maybe treat yourself to a night away at a premium resort so you can capture the perfect sounds in person? After all, your sleep will thank you.