You may have heard of white noise – a noise that contains all frequencies audible to the human ear, often associated with relaxation and sleep. But what about brown, green, pink and blue noises?
People on video hosting platform TikTok have started sharing their "sleep hacks" with these unusual sounds, used to block out bothersome noises and relax the mind with constant, static-like tones.
Following a government sleep study, a spokesperson from Bestmattress-brand said: “One in five people struggle to get to sleep, a lack of sleep can have many negative impacts on mental and physical health. Coloured noises might be the trick to help you finally get a good night's sleep.
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"White noise is the most researched and popular however it may not be suited to many people, and thus this research highlights the other colours that you can try that may be more sleep-inducing than the typical white noise.
"Along with the noise it is recommended that people engage in healthy bedtime routines which can maximise the effectiveness of these sleep aids. For example, avoiding screens 30 minutes before bed, eating good foods and optimising your sleep space.
"Sleep is key to living a healthy life, and these noises could help you get the sleep that your body and mind need.”
But what are these uniquely named noises – and what do they sound like?
White Noise
White noise, which contains all audible frequences produced at the same steady intensity, is thought to help with relaxation and encourage a good night's sleep. In a recent study, adults fell asleep 38% faster while listening to white noise. Other recent studies have continued to find white noise positively affecting sleep. That’s why it’s often recommended for sleeping difficulties and sleep disorders like insomnia.
Pink Noise
Pink noise produces a 'fuzzier' static sound than the usual white noise, with a louder low frequency with softer high ends. Studies have shown that pink noise didn’t only aid people in getting to sleep but also had positive influences in supporting deep sleep and memory.
Brown Noise
Brown noise is a deep, strong static tone, with lower frequencies to block out external noise, making it easier for people to sleep. Some people think brown noise can help block out the internal monologue that many people experience at night, with no distractions to keep their minds from wandering.
Green Noise
Green noise is a variation of white noise in the middle of the spectrum, with deep, ocean-like tones similar to what can be heard in nature. People who use green noise to aid their sleep think it can restore calm by providing a "sound mask" to other ideas, feelings, sensations, and sensory experiences. Like brown noise, green has been taking social media by storm as a new TikTok sleep trend as many people share their experiences with the sleep "hack".
Blue Noise
There are very few deep tones in blue noise, as its sound is concentrated at the high-frequency end, producing a sound like water spraying out of a hose nozzle. This can help disguise outside noises, and may be helpful to some fitful sleepers – as long as they are not sensitive to high-pitched sounds.
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