I've written a few times in the past about using ambient music to help me sleep. I used to vary it and post my #sleepmusic each night on Twitter (that's going back a bit) but moved to consistently choosing from just a few options.
Originally, I thought that associating particular pieces of music with sleep would help reinforce this but realised it was not explicitly the music but the repetition and familiarity.
I had often tried to introduce new (to me) music into rotation but found that I couldn't sleep as my brain instead reacted to the novelty no matter how relaxing the music.
I can listen to the same track - or even loop - on repeat for hours and not get bored. My brain gets into a liminal state and the music becomes just part of the environment.
I have mentioned how I use one thing to distract me from other distractions β often music to distract me from unwanted thoughts. It gives my mind something to subconsciously focus on, allowing me to get on with things without those nagging or intrusive thoughts getting in the way.
"Focus and distraction are likely more closely related than we would like to admit"
It is in this context that I come to YouTube or, more specifically, the Sleep Deprivation channel created by The Black Dog β a group I have been listening to, through their different line-ups, since the late 80's/early 90's.
Despite only being started a few weeks ago, it has quickly become my listening default. The channel describes itself as delivering
"deep, hypnotic dystopian drone music, a fusion of dark ambient soundscapes, industrial undertones, and eerie atmospheric drones"
It's not wrong! But there is also some chilled beat based and dub vibes. All-in-all a veritable smorgasbord for your ears.
Having listened a lot over the past few weeks, the music has become increasingly familiar so fits perfectly in that liminal space on the edge of attention. I use it to drown out the noise and distraction during the day and put on it on with sleep timer when I go to bed.
"Whether youβre battling insomnia, overactive thoughts, or the creeping silence of late-night solitude, our immersive soundscapes will envelop you in a world of slow-burning tension and melancholic serenity. Let the distant hum of decaying cities, ghostly transmissions, and mechanical lullabies guide you into the unknown."
What more can I say except check it out! If you're into this sort of music then you won't be disappointed.
Have you ever listened to Brian Eno's Music for Airports? For quite a while, I used to work to that. Very relaxing. Probably would put some people to sleep. π
Hey Chris. Oh yes, a lot. I like all his ambient stuff and have often used them as sleep music.
The other thing that relaxes me is Rainy Mood. Although I tend to only like to listen to that on days when it's actually raining. Feels a bit weird when it's sunny outside. π
Just checking you knew that the Name field in your comments form isn't being enforced. I've accidentally submitted comments without that twice now. The above one about Rainy Mood is mine.
I'll have a look. Don't know what's going on as it used to π€
Fixed!
π