“I had the most restful sleep that night. My mind was not doing its usual spinning. In the morning, I felt totally refreshed. When my friend phoned me, she thought she had the wrong number as my voice was so ‘light’.” (VH)
Many studies have shown that listening to soothing music improves sleep. One study, for example, found that 45 minutes of music at bedtime for three weeks cumulatively helped participants fall asleep more easily, sleep longer and better, and function better during the day. In another study, tests showed that people who listened to soothing music had longer REM sleep, the restorative stage of sleep linked to psychological and emotional well-being.
Researchers at Tufts University are studying the effects of crystal singing bowls on brain waves. They find that the bowls create a “sound bubble”. As long as the bowls are playing, people stay in alpha and theta brainwave states, regardless of other noise in the environment. The result? It’s a lot easier to drift off to sleep.
People are surprised at how much sensation they feel from crystal singing bowls, and how quickly the bowls induce deep relaxation. Mesmer, the inventor of hypnosis, used “mesmerizing” sounds like these as part of his technique.
How does sound work?
Healthy sounds bring the body into to a state of resonance—vibrational balance—through the physics of entrainment. Sound penetrates every cell of your body (like ultrasound imaging does), traveling through the fluid parts of your body 4.5 times faster than through the air. Heart rate and breathing are tethered to brain waves, so those slow down too. In this way, the sound of crystal singing bowls quickly induces a drowsy state that makes it easy to nod off.
3 Tips
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Many studies have shown that listening to soothing music improves sleep. One study, for example, found that 45 minutes of music at bedtime for three weeks cumulatively helped participants fall asleep more easily, sleep longer and better, and function better during the day. In another study, tests showed that people who listened to soothing music had longer REM sleep, the restorative stage of sleep linked to psychological and emotional well-being.
Researchers at Tufts University are studying the effects of crystal singing bowls on brain waves. They find that the bowls create a “sound bubble”. As long as the bowls are playing, people stay in alpha and theta brainwave states, regardless of other noise in the environment. The result? It’s a lot easier to drift off to sleep.
People are surprised at how much sensation they feel from crystal singing bowls, and how quickly the bowls induce deep relaxation. Mesmer, the inventor of hypnosis, used “mesmerizing” sounds like these as part of his technique.
How does sound work?
Healthy sounds bring the body into to a state of resonance—vibrational balance—through the physics of entrainment. Sound penetrates every cell of your body (like ultrasound imaging does), traveling through the fluid parts of your body 4.5 times faster than through the air. Heart rate and breathing are tethered to brain waves, so those slow down too. In this way, the sound of crystal singing bowls quickly induces a drowsy state that makes it easy to nod off.
3 Tips
- Listen to Music that Makes Your Heart “Sing”— The Persian poet, Hafiz, said, “Stay close to any sounds that make you glad you are alive.” Music elicits an automatic emotional response, which varies from day to day, and person to person. Whether a piece of music is calming or stimulating depends not only on the nature of the music itself, but also on the memories associated with it. Brain waves relax to the extent that you enjoy the music. So, choose music and sounds that you like.
- Listen to Mother Nature — Some of the most relaxing sounds are ocean waves, birds or bubbling brooks. They calm your nervous system, slow down your heartbeat, lower your blood pressure, slow down your breathing and put your brainwaves into low gear. Listen to high quality nature recordings, or get outdoors and enjoy the real thing.
- Hum to Yourself — Make lots of natural, happy sounds, such as an appreciative “Ahhh”, Ooooo” or “Hmmm”. In addition to being very relaxing, studies show that humming increases nitrous oxide, which increases immune response and regulates blood pressure. And, when you hum with crystal bowls, you boost the relaxation effect by a quantum leap. It creates a sleep-inducing sound elixir!
What works for you? Share with us...
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