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