Healing Through Sound

By Sound Sleep Guide · Evidence-informed guidance · Updated 2025

The right sound at the right volume can change how your body feels, not just what you hear. Gentle, predictable audio creates a sense of continuity that reduces the urge to scan for threats, especially in silence that the mind fills with analysis.

Why consistent sound eases arousal

  • Predictability: stable patterns reduce surprise and orient the nervous system.
  • Attentional anchor: a soft focus keeps attention from looping on thought.
  • Breath entrainment: slow rhythms can subtly lengthen exhales.

Choosing sounds that help (and avoiding those that don’t)

  • Prefer low-complexity, low-variation textures at low volume.
  • Avoid sudden crescendos, lyrics, or high-contrast transitions.
  • Test the volume: if you can’t ignore it when you try, it’s too loud.

A 10-minute sound practice

  1. Dim lights and put your phone on Do Not Disturb.
  2. Start a steady, gentle sound and lie on your side or back.
  3. Follow the sound with your attention for five breaths, then rest for five breaths. Repeat for 10 minutes.