Sounds For You

What can you hear at this moment in time? For me it is the sound of my husband zipping a packed suitcase for a work trip and the tv in the background. Not the most relaxing of noises. My cat is purring and this noise is lovely to hear. She is content, snuggling in and hearing this sound makes me smile.

What emotions and feelings do different sounds conjure up for you? Many sounds make us have different reactions, for example when you hear emergency service sirens, it makes me hope everyone is alright, people are safe and help is on it’s way. It can be a source of anxiety, particularly if you hear it on your street or where you are.

But on the other hand, those living in large cities where sirens make up their nightly sleep routine, it may bring comfort and familiarity to help drift off. Being elsewhere and having silence to try and sleep can cause real problems for those used to a nightly traffic noise.

I live in a quiet neighbourhood, so for me, falling asleep to silence is blissful and easy to do. Going somewhere noisy causes me to toss and turn before I fall asleep whilst I try to tune out the noise.

Think of the sounds you love to hear, those that are relaxing to you either help you sleep or comfort you when you need a moment. What about those sounds to help you get clarity or focus? Or those sounds when you hear them make you smile or make you sad as it is a reminder of someone or a memory.

Here are some ideas for sounds to help you throughout your day:

If you get up and go for a run, walk or go to the gym each morning and want sounds to help you focus and keep you motivated, you are highly likely to opt for music. With there being so many options, you may have your own playlist or seek out a random motivational playlist to help you pound those pavements or lift those weights. You’re going to pick something you know will mean you give it your all and have the best workout even if you’re not quite in the right headspace, you know the music will get you through it. You might even be singing along or dancing along the street as you hear a favourite song.

Music can help focus your mind at work when you have a deadline looming. This will be different for everyone, some people will prefer classical music whilst others will want 90’s rave. Choose the music you love, but make sure you pick music which doesn’t distract you.

If you are going into a situation which requires you to be brave, you may blast a tune to get you ready for it, it could be a soothing tune to calm your nerves or the ‘Rocky’ theme tune to get you ready for the fight if you need it.

Think of spa music when you are getting a massage, helping you to forget everything else going on around you as you melt into the bed as the treatment is underway. But it’s not only music that is good for the soul, there are many other sounds that can nourish and relax you too.

What about listening to a waterfall, a stream, rain or birdsong whilst you nod off. There are many apps such as Headspace or Calm you can use which have a variety of sounds for you to choose from. You can use them to help you sleep or as background noise whilst you work or potter around the house.

Many of these apps do sleep casts, a story to help you sleep. It will describe a situation such as a park or water landscape scenario and what is happening in a soft, dreamy way helping you to slowly fall into a calming sleep.

Think about how sound can help you in your daily life, think about the noises you hear and enjoy that can help you focus, relax, comfort or motivate you. We are all different, and sounds I like will not necessarily be the sounds you enjoy. Find the sounds you love and enjoy for the situation you find yourself in.

Sounds are all around us taking many forms, so take time to find what works for you.

Thank you for reading and have a lovely week.

Look after you.

Love Emma xx