Music plays a big role in life. In some way, you can always relate to a song. Whether it’s a love, hate, sad, or happy song, there is always one that can get you through the day. Music, in general, is a spirit lifter for myself. I love it so much that I use it to help me fall asleep.
I had come across something that claimed it was bad to fall asleep while listening to music, so naturally, I did some digging and found out the truth behind it. Are you intrigued? If so, follow me and I will explain my findings.
Please consult a physician for any medical advice.
What Does Music Do To Us?
First, before I get into the whole “is it bad to fall asleep to music?” speech, I want to explain exactly what music does to us and why. Check out what this scientist had to say about it:
“Music moves people of all cultures, in a way that doesn’t seem to happen with other animals. Nobody really understands why listening to music — which, unlike sex or food, has no intrinsic value — can trigger such profoundly rewarding experiences.”
Obviously we aren’t all going to have the same response to music, but we do have different reactions based on what our preferences are. So, when someone, such as myself, listens to music while they are sleeping and wake up feeling good vibes, one has to ask, is it healthy?
You may want to read: Know About Sleeping with Earplugs and Earphones
Falling Asleep To Music
In today’s technology filled world, some find it hard to fall asleep, especially if they are hooked on their cell phones either chatting or playing a game. When it comes time to close our eyes, it may seem impossible. This is when you should put down the phone and turn on the tunes.
Why, you ask? Studies have shown that listening to music while trying to fall asleep could be used as an alternative treatment for those who may suffer from PTSD and insomnia. Another study showed that classical music improved the quality of sleep in those who suffered from various sleep problems.
On the flip side, some researchers suggest that falling asleep to music has been known to cause an increase in heart rate resulting in wakefulness. In the end, it just depends on the person listening to it and whether they are use to those sounds or not.
Sleeping With Earbuds
I don’t know about you, but I can’t fall asleep with something stuck in my ears. It is uncomfortable and I would assume that they would fall out as I toss and turn. Although you may think this is a good idea, I must tell you, it isn’t and here is why.
Although they are minor, there are certain risks that come with sleeping with earphones or headphones in:
- Necrosis of the skin-Necrosis is the death of body tissue. This can happen if the buds don’t fit well and cause pressure on the skin in the ear canal.
- Wax Build up– When wax can’t escape from the ears, it builds up and may need to be suctioned out. Along with being really gross, it is also quite unhealthy.
- Safety-When I say safety, I mean that if a smoke alarm goes off in the middle of the night and you have your earbuds in, you may not hear it, especially if they are noise cancelling earbuds.
- Death– Not likely, but if you are wearing headphones with a cord, you could end up with them wrapped around your neck which could cut off your air supply.
In my own personal opinion, I don’t recommend sleeping with ear buds in. It can’t be very comfortable and I definitely wouldn’t risk necrosis of the ear skin, that just sounds painful.
You may want to read: Everything You Need to Know About the eBerry Sleep Headphones
The Safe Way To Listen
Since we have discovered that sleeping with music on is far from harmful, let me fill you in about the safe ways we can fall asleep while listening to our favorite tunes.
Use A Radio
If you are the only person sleeping in the room, listening to the radio rather than earbuds is your best bet.
Listen To The Television
If you don’t have a radio, which wouldn’t be surprising if you don’t given all of the alternative technology, simply turn on the television. If you have all of the good channels, it is likely that you have the music channels as well. Pop one of those on that suit your music taste and enjoy.
Headphones for Sleeping
Bedphones-Third Generation are headphones that have been designed for listening to music while sleeping. They are safe and aren’t uncomfortable if you are a side sleeper.
Although these headphones do have cords and there is always that risk of asphyxiation, the risk is low. The odds of that happening are probably just as likely as being struck by lightning (don’t quote me on that). If you think it could happen to you, simply don’t wear them to bed.
You may be interested in: What you need to know about the Bose Sleep Headphones
The Conclusion
So the bottom line here is that it is far from bad to fall asleep while listening to music. If anything, you may wake yourself up when your favorite 1980’s hairband jam comes on if you are anything like me.
If you aren’t accustomed to listening to music or are easily awoken by a sound, sleeping while listening probably isn’t the ideal thing for you. For me, I am used to noise all of the time so the music doesn’t bother me while I’m sleeping.
As stated earlier, listening to music has proven effects on those who suffer from many psychological and sleep related issues. If it has been known to help people with insomnia fall asleep, why couldn’t it help the average Joe fall asleep after a stressful day?