The power of sound to calm and heal has been known for centuries. Sound is extremely effective for helping us manage stress, overwhelm and anxiety. Music is one category of sound, and you may find certain kinds of classical or jazz music calming. While driving my grandchildren from school recently, the local classical radio station played some lovely music and my twelve-year-old grandson commented at least twice about how relaxing it was and asked how to find the station. I was a bit surprised and delighted to hear that.
Nature sounds are another category – waterfalls, bubbling brooks, chirping birds, falling rain, and ocean waves are all calming. Of course, actually experiencing them in nature is wonderful, but recorded and simulated versions are readily available. Perhaps you have used sound machines to help a baby, child or yourself get to sleep. They generally have a similar selection of options to choose from in addition to white noise. Use of a sound machine can be part of sleep training for children that establishes lifelong patterns.
As you noticed in the list above, water is a common inclusion. Taking time alone to simply breathe and allow the calming effect of water to permeate your mind can be powerful. You have probably noticed large water installations in commercial building lobbies. As you walk in, it has a visual and auditory impact. A waterfall or bubbling brook can be included in a yard or garden to add to the ambiance if you have a large space and the resources to do it. There are many options for small indoor fountains/waterfalls that can be used in a bedroom, meditation room, office or any small room at a range of prices. Indoor Water Installations
Discovering the Sounds That Work For You
As with so many things, what is effective for one person may not be for another. If you would like to try out different sounds to see what is most calming, relaxing, and/or sleep inducing, here are two options:
+ Amazon.com has a variety of CDs, many of which offer a “Listen Now” sample that you can experience immediately. Some are also available to stream if you are an Amazon Prime member – no CD required. Check it out here: Sound Therapy CDs
+ Free apps are available here, as well as in other places: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/10-calming-apps-destress-clear-mind/ Discover what works best for you.
Trying Frequency Sounds to Calm and Heal
The power of sound is reflected and verified in scientific studies. Advanced techniques like frequency sounds which include both healing sounds and binaural beats are available to explore through recordings and apps too. They are effective in reducing stress and in healing. An article in AwarenessAct.com points out that “Frequency sounds can be used to help us as human beings calm down. This is especially important since we’re facing a lot of stressful things right now. We’re seemingly stuck within a huge crisis and it feels like things are going to get worse before they get better…Sound healing, for the most part, is something that uses vibrations through vocal measures or even instruments like gongs to get music that can really work to calm.” https://awarenessact.com/frequency-sounds-to-calm-you-down-during-times-of-crisis/
At the above link there are several videos holding different healing sounds and binaural beats. Some are hours long so you can have them playing in the background during the day or through the night. Please note the instructions about whether or not headphones are needed to get the full benefit of a particular video.
I am hopeful that this introduction to the power of sound to calm and heal has been helpful and has ignited your interest in using it for yourself and others. Try something new and share what you discover.
