There are all kinds of sleep aids worth taking, but listening to music as you drift off to bed is an easy and affordable way to calm your nerves without risk of side effects. Music affects the parasympathetic nervous system, helping your body relax and prepare for sleep. 

     

Research has found that adults who listened to 45 minutes of calming music fell asleep faster, slept longer, and woke up less in the middle of the night. This is in comparison to those who slept listening to audiobooks or nothing at all.

     

Why is this so? Music has a tendency to slow your heart rate and respiration, lower blood pressure, and even signal to the muscles to relax. While you can relax listening to any type of music you enjoy, slower music are the most conducive to putting you at ease. Keep your tunes at a rhythm of 60 to 80 beats per minute (BPM). With music as a regular part of your bedtime routine, your body will be triggered to prepare for a good night’s rest.