The effect of music on sleep

Abstract

Sleep is essential to human survival, yet issues with getting restful, consistent sleep is a common problem. One in three adults do not get the recommended amount of sleep1, creating myriad issues, from physical illness to mental and cognitive disorders, poor work attendance, and disruptions in daily life.2 Traumatic experiences that occur early in life can have life long health implications, including sleep disorders and insufficient sleep.3 With the advent of COVID-19, people in the United States and across the world were forced to quarantine themselves, thereby disturbing previously established norms of behavior, daily engagement with others, and sleeping habits. Being able to rejuvenate the physical, emotional, and mental state through sleep became more important yet also more difficult amidst the stresses of the pandemic.4Healthcare professionals are seeking alternate patient treatment forms regarding healthy sleeping patterns. Music is one solution to this ongoing problem because it is easily accessible, can be personalized to individual tastes, is cost effective, cost avoidant, and lacking in serious side effects. The focus of this article is to explain how music impacts sleep, sleep disorders, and to offer suggestions to optimize sleeping patterns through the conscientious application of music and music therapy.             Keywords: sleep, music, health, sleep disorders, pandemic, music therapy