Falling asleep can be hard. iPhones and Netflix don’t make it easier. That’s why I was skeptical about using music as a tool to fall asleep.
In the beginning of 2017, I became obsessed with collecting digital versions of Lifescapes CDs, you know, the instrumental music collections that used to be sold at Target and Walmart?
Around the same time, I learned that taking a short 20-30 minute nap could have tremendous productivity benefits. So when I stumbled on “Music for Sleep” by John Hermanson, I was eager to see if it would work for me.
Someone’s review says:
This is not your ordinary sleep music. Please please listen to the warning on this CD . . . As soon as the music started both of us simultaneously sighed and our shoulders slumped as if we were immediately resting. I was having trouble sleeping at the time so I purchased it and tried it out. At first I thought I could listen to it while in the bathtub. BAD idea. I think it is too relaxing for anything besides sleeping.
Now that I’ve used this A LOT to get to sleep, I completely agree. It works like magic. Take a quick listen and see what happens for you:
This song actually made me sleepy. The guitar picking is simple, yet complex enough to try to follow. The synth pad is mixed at the right volume and has a consistent “wave like rhythm.” The dobro swells are timed perfectly to match the wave of the synth. In other words, it’s perfect.
Use this song when you need to get to sleep.
It will help you fall asleep faster and “keep” you asleep because it acts as a noise bed to mask road noise, talking, or other sounds that might keep you up.
Getting set up
You will want to either buy or download the song locally to your device so it doesn’t have to stream each time you need it.
Get it on iTunes here
Buy it on Amazon here
Here it is on Google Play
Find it on Spotify by searching for Our Work Is Done (I do this in “offline mode” using Spotify premium)
Introduce it to your ears
Wait until an evening when you’re truly tired and don’t “need” it. Put it on and fall asleep. (Make sure your device is plugged in so it doesn’t drain the battery!)
How to use it for naps
- Turn your phone on Airplane mode I recommend this for naps because it will prevent calls from turning off the music as you’re trying to sleep.
- Open the Clock app and select Timer (choose your favorite Alarm) The sound of the alarm will turn off the music when it’s time to wake up.
- Set to 20-30 minutes, whatever works better for you
- Open your music app
- Set the song to repeat “1” The song is about 10 minutes long and loops seamlessly.
- Select your volume You want it loud enough to mask any distracting background sounds that might keep you awake.
- Relax & drift away With your eyes closed, make small circle motions first in counterclockwise motion, then clockwise. Follow the guitar going up. Follow it going down. Breathe deeply to the tempo of the song.
How to use it for deep sleep (overnight)
- Set your alarm to wake up like normal. If you’re like me and use your phone as your alarm, this will still work. Simply set your alarm FIRST for when you want to wake up.
- Open the Clock app and select Timer for 30 minutes (choose “When timer ends: Stop Playing”) This will fade the music OFF in 30 minutes so it does not continue playing all night.
- Open your music app Turn on the song.
- Set the song to repeat “1” The song is about 10 minutes long and loops seamlessly.
- Select your volume You want it loud enough to mask any distracting background sounds that might keep you awake.
- Relax & drift away With your eyes closed, make small circle motions first in counterclockwise motion, then clockwise. Follow the guitar going up. Follow it going down. Breathe deeply to the tempo of the song.
Warning: Do not listen to this song throughout the day.
Train your ears and body to ONLY hear this song when it’s time to fall asleep. This will help to trigger your brain to go to sleep when it comes on.
What other techniques do you use to fall asleep?
