
Researchers found that workers not only performed better on tasks, but calming nature sounds also had a restorative effect on cognitive abilities.Īn intense film score can make you feel like you're doing something inspiring or important, even if you're just chipping away at your to-do list. This may be because nature sounds helped mask harsher, more distracting noises, such as people talking or typing. The study found employees were more productive and had more positive feelings when nature sounds were playing in the background while they worked. Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have discovered that natural sounds boost moods and focus. Nature sounds work best when they're soothing sounds, such as flowing water or rainfall, while more jarring noises such as bird calls and animal noises can be distracting. Listening to the sounds of nature, like waves crashing or a babbling brook, has been shown to enhance cognitive function and concentration. 6-Hour Mozart Piano Classical Music Studying Playlist: Great Beautiful Long Pieces.


We, therefore, process these ocean sounds in a very different way to more abrupt noises, allowing us to relax and even sleep through these non-threatening types of audio. The slow crashing and swelling of sea sounds are a naturally calming veil of noise that is soothing and relaxing to the brain.

Ocean sounds are the antithesis to the startling noises that trigger our threat responses - representing 'non-threatening' sounds that are typically quieter and only gradually vary in volume. For example, when you're fast asleep and wake up very suddenly as a result of noise, this indicates the setting-off of the threat-activated vigilance system within the body, helping you to react fast in time of peril.

The system is designed as a protective measure to assess whether a fear response is needed in times of trauma or danger. Loud, sudden and abrupt sounds such as an alarm clock going off or people shouting or construction work trigger a 'threat-activated vigilance system'. If you find yourself yearning for the distance crash of breakers hitting the shore, Seachest will let you in on the secrets to those serene oceans sounds you've been looking for.Īccording to a study published by Live Science, the way we understand sounds has a lot to do with how the body perceives noise as either a 'threat' or a 'non-threat'. There's something about the sound of waves crashing, the swell of water and the rhythm of the tide that puts the body and mind into a state of total relaxation.īut why is the sound of water so calming?
