The Benefits of White Noise

You’ve likely heard about all of the great benefits of using white noise machines for a variety of different situations. The benefits of white noise have been praised by health professionals, who consider white noise a great way to boost focus, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and promote an overall better sense of well-being.

If you’re curious about just what white noise can do, then here is a closer look at what white noise is and how it can help in your daily life.

What is White Noise?

It’s important that you understand what white noise is and why it can be far more soothing and calming than other types of noise. After all, some of us hate noise and couldn’t imagine it helping us sleep better. The sounds that you hear each and every day are on different frequencies. They bounce off each other and interact with one another and put stress on your ear as your auditory system attempts to make sense of them all and process them. Some people are more sensitive to noise than others, so it doesn’t take as much to overwhelm them.

What white noise machines do is they generate sounds on all frequencies at once, similar to how white light is a combination of all the frequencies of light. While there are different variations of white noise, the basic idea of generating all frequencies of noise remains the same. Essentially, they create a blanket of sound that goes over existing sounds to create a calming, consistent, and focused sound that is gentler to the ears. This sound can also cover other, perhaps less pleasant sounds so that you have an easier time focusing and sleeping. With that out of the way, let’s look at some of the benefits of using a white noise machine.

White Noise for Sleeping

While a comfortable pillow is important, white noise is most commonly used as a sleep aid. There are several reasons that white noise can help with sleeping. To begin with, it works to literally distract your brain. If a room is too quiet, it can cause a person to stay alert and be on guard for any potential noise. Humans dislike pure silence as much as we dislike too much noise. White noise gives your mind something to focus on without any other distractions, such as music or words. They can also cover up other sudden noises in the night, preventing them from waking up a sleeper.

White Noise for Babies

Not only are white noise machines good for helping adults sleep, but they have also been shown to be great for babies. Parents have been using things like washing machines and car rides to help lull a child to sleep for as long as those things have existed. Well, instead of doing that, use a white noise machine. They create a comforting noise and eliminate the noises that can startle babies and wake them up.

White Noise for Offices

White noise machines are for more than just the bedroom. They can help improve concentration and productivity in the workplace. Workers are less tempted to talk or make a noise of their own to fill in the quiet when they hear white noise. It also makes it easier to ignore the distracting sounds of the office, such as noise from computers and phone calls. White noise is a better alternative to music, as even orchestral and instrumental music can be more distracting than simple white noise.

White Noise for Travel

Taking a white noise machine with you on your travels can be a great way to eliminate the stress of traveling. People who have trouble sleeping on a plane or in a hotel bed could have a much more pleasant experience with a white noise machine, especially on a plane where it can eliminate engine sounds, chatty passengers, and crying babies.

It also makes it easier to acclimate to a new environment, thereby making it much easier to sleep. Once again, white noise for babies comes into play here as it helps soothe little ones who aren’t used to traveling.

Summary

White noise machines are great for lots of things. They help you work harder during the day and sleep better at night, they’re great for babies who have trouble sleeping, and they work wonders when traveling. Consider trying one out for yourself or just getting a white noise app for your phone to see what white noise can do for you.