Often, white noise is recommended for sleep troubles in babies or adults, but it’s not the only noise that can help. Other sonic hues, like pink noise, may also improve your sleep, perhaps even more so. Great for sleeping, relaxing or meditating.
WHAT IS PINK NOISE?
The color of noise is determined by the energy of the sound signal. Pink noise consists of all frequencies we can hear, but the energy is more intense at lower frequencies, which creates a deep sound (unlike white noise, in which energy is distributed across all frequencies equally). Pink noise is deeper than white noise. It’s like white noise with a bass rumble. To the human ear, pink noise sounds “flat” or “even.”
PINK NOISE IN NATURE:
Nature is full of pink noise, including:
* rustling leaves
* steady rain
* wind
* heartbeats
Compare this to common sources of white noise, such as a whirring fan, radio or television static, or a hissing radiator.
STUDIES OF PINK NOISE AND SLEEP
In a 2012 study in the Journal of Theoretical Biology, researchers found that steady pink noise reduces brain waves, which increases stable sleep. A 2017 study in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience also found a positive link between pink noise and deep sleep. Deep sleep supports memory and helps you feel refreshed in the morning.