23rd October 2023, Mumbai: Green noise, as the name implies, is similar to natural noises such as showers, rustling leaves, rolling waves, and bird tweeting. Connecting with nature can naturally soothe you and reduce anxiety, boosting relaxation and a deeper quality of sleep. This low frequency sound is growing popular among sleep-deprived people or those seeking sound sleep, who prefer it to hissing white noise. The sound of nature’s melodies can have numerous benefits, including improved sleep quality, relaxation, and stress reduction. Green noise has also been linked to higher cognition, increased focus, and decreased daytime stress.
“Green noise, sometimes referred to as emerald noise, is a sonic concept that resembles white noise but has a different frequency distribution. Green noise emphasizes lower frequencies, making it seem more like the soft rustling of leaves or a running stream, in contrast to white noise, which has equal intensity across all frequencies. Green noise’s capacity to produce a dependable background noise is one of its key characteristics. This regularity aids in masking sporadic disturbances that could normally wake you up, including a puppy barking, a neighbour’s music, or rapid changes in the environment. Green noise can successfully buffer these disturbances by supplying a steady auditory environment, enabling you to stay asleep or resume sleep more quickly if you are awakened,” says Dr Chandni Tugnait is M.D. (Alternative Medicines), Psychotherapist, Life Coach, Business Coach, NLP Expert, Healer, Founder & Director – Gateway of Healing.
“The ability to think clearly, feel emotionally stable and maintain general health all depend on getting enough sleep. Even one night of bad sleep can result in health problems, diminished productivity, and irritation. Many people use sleep aids to improve their sleeping environment. The use of green noise is one such method,” states Dr Chandni.
“Green noise, also known as frequency-weighted noise, is a type of sound that has a more balanced frequency distribution compared to white noise. In simple words, it contains a greater number of lower frequencies, resembling the sounds of rustling leaves, raindrops, or a gentle stream. Green noise has a naturally calming quality that many find to be incredibly calming, in contrast to the randomness of white noise,” explains Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali.
Dr. Chandni discusses how green noise can improve sleep quality:
- Green noise acts as a shield against disruptions: It masks disturbances like street noise, noisy neighbors, or household conflicts by creating a steady and pleasing background sound, helping your brain block out distractions effectively.
- It encourages calmness and restraint: The gentle and soothing nature of green noise induces relaxation, reducing tension and anxiety. This state of relaxation facilitates an easier transition into sleep.
- Improves the quality of deep sleep: Studies suggest that green noise aids in achieving a deep sleep state, crucial for the body’s healing processes. Consequently, upon waking up, you experience enhanced restfulness and alertness.
- Fosters a sense of relaxation: The calming and natural quality of green noise has a tranquilizing effect, making it easier to unwind and slip into a restful sleep.
Green noise brings multiple advantages for sleep and mental well-being:
Stabilizes heart rate: Green noise normalizes heart rate variability before sleep, preparing the body for rest.
Boosts dream recall: Enhanced sleep stability due to green noise results in better dream recall, reducing mid-sleep awakenings.
According to Dr. Jyoti, green noise offers additional benefits:
1. Deep relaxation: Green noise reduces stress and anxiety, inducing a state of relaxation, making it an ideal auditory aid for sleep.
2. Improved sleep: Research suggests green noise enhances sleep quality by masking disruptive noises and promoting a deeper, more peaceful sleep. This is especially helpful for light sleepers and those in noisy environments.
3. Heightened focus: Green noise aids concentration by minimizing distractions, creating a conducive atmosphere for enhanced productivity, often used in creating pleasant work environments.
4. Stress reduction: Exposure to green noise has been connected to stress reduction, which can have a favorable impact on mental health. Reduced stress can help with anxiety and depression symptoms.
How green noise varies from white noise and other noise:
According to Dr. Jyoti, green noise has more low-frequency components, similar to nature sounds, whereas white noise has an equal distribution of frequencies, resulting in a more ‘hissy’ sound.
“Many individuals find green noise to be more relaxing and soothing compared to the constant hiss of white noise. Green noise sounds more natural, with a tonal quality similar to rustling leaves or rain. White noise, in contrast, has a more static and shushing quality,” says Dr Jyoti.
Aside from white noise and green noise, here are some other types of calming noises that are gaining popularity:
1. Pink noise: Similar to white noise, pink noise distributes equal energy across all octaves, but its intensity decreases with higher frequencies. It’s often perceived as more balanced and less sharp compared to white noise.
2. Brown noise: Brown noise emphasizes lower frequencies, resembling a deep rumble or waterfall sound. It’s favored by many for its calming and masking qualities.
3. Blue noise: Blue noise amplifies higher frequencies, resulting in a sharp auditory experience. Some people find it energizing and helpful for enhancing concentration.
“Green noise also assists in heightened cognizance, improved focus, and lessened daytime stress. It has a pacifying impact due to the evenly distributed frequencies, which can help diminish anxiety and agitation. Without disruptions, the body can smoothly transition between non-REM and REM somnus cycles through the night. Numerous individuals have noticed that listening to green noise relaxes and unwinds them, which is imperative for effortlessly succumbing to slumber. It can also be particularly beneficial for those who have unpredictable schedules or reside in bustling metropolises,” comments Dr Chandni.
How to Make the Most of Green Noise
When it comes to using green noise to improve the quality of your sleep, you have a few options.
“In addition to utilizing smartphone apps and internet resources that provide a range of soundscapes, including green noise, you may obtain white noise devices or sound generators that are expressly designed to produce green noise. You can modify the volume and other settings on many of these implements to accommodate your preferences. Find the soundscape that best suits your needs and is effective for you by experimenting with green noise and other sounds,” advises Dr Chandni.
By Vaishnavi Rastogi