What Is Green Noise and How Can It Help You Sleep?

Over the last few years, green noise has become popular to help sleep. It's often overshadowed by the more popular colors, including white, pink, and brown noise.

But green noise offers different and unique properties that can improve your sleep. Find out what green noise is, its benefits, and why you should choose this noise over the others.

What is Green Noise

Green noise is a sound frequency between white and pink noise. How does green noise sound? People explain that the sound reminds them of nature, like the gentle pitter-patter of rain, the rustling of leaves, or the distant roar of a waterfall.

This special sound is designed to be used as background, to not only enhance focus but to make you feel calm and peaceful, promote relaxation, or improve sleep quality.

By reducing the harsh high frequencies, green noise is often perceived as more soothing compared to white noise. Plus, some experts suggest that green noise may be more effective for sleep than white noise because it eliminates the harsher high frequencies of white noise.

What Does Green Noise Sound Like?

Green noise is characterized by its soothing mid-range frequencies, resembling the natural sounds of ocean waves or a flowing stream.

Unlike white noise, which includes high frequencies that create a sharp, static-like hiss, green noise filters out those harsher tones, resulting in a more peaceful and calming sound.

This makes it a great option for relaxation and sleep, as it mimics the natural world and is gentler on the ears compared to other types of noise.

Here is an example of what green noise sounds like.

Are There Benefits of Green Noise?

Green noise is less popular than white noise, which is the most studied sound for sleep compared to the others. Since white noise provides a hiss, similar to TV statistics, people have been leaning more toward green noise because it sounds a little more pleasant.

While it's up for debate which option is best, it usually comes down to personal preference.

With that being said, there are several benefits to listening to green noise.

Promotes Relaxation

Green noise sounds similar to the natural sounds you might hear outdoors. The sounds of a flowing river, rustling of leaves, or gentle ocean waves.

Studies have indicated that they help us relax, reduce stress and anxiety. [1] The sound affects our minds because it creates that sense of being in a peaceful, natural setting.

It's a lot easier to unwind or even fall asleep because of its capability to block unwanted noise. Even though green noise is popular to listen to while sleeping, some people have been known to use it while practicing yoga or working. It calms the mind and promotes focus.

Blocks out Disruptive Nighttime Noise

If you're surrounded by the sounds of a loud city or a noisy neighborhood, green noise can help block unwanted and annoying sounds.

Green noise acts as a barrier, making car alarms, barking dogs, and noticeable noises while you are sleeping with the help of these soothing nature sounds.

Potentially Improve Sleep

As previously mentioned, if you are struggling to fall asleep or suffering from insomnia, it's recommended to try green noise. The calming nature sounds create the perfect environment to fall asleep and, most importantly, stay asleep.

Whether it's the gentle background noise of crickets or the peaceful hum of a rushing waterfall, this steady, continuous nature of green noise helps eliminate disruptive sounds and interruptions, helping you maintain the quality of your sleep.

Eases Symptoms of Tinnitus

Tinnitus is characterized by the constant buzzing or ringing in the ears, making it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. The gentle and soothing sounds of nature help mask unwanted sounds and provide comfort and a brief escape from the auditory challenges posed by tinnitus.

More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from tinnitus. It can affect anyone, but it is common among individuals aged 40 to 80. [2]

When using a sound machine or app, listening to green noise’s gentler frequencies is often more comfortable for the ears, making it a helpful tool for managing tinnitus symptoms effectively.

Improved Focus and Productivity

If you find yourself having trouble concentrating or focusing, whether you're studying, engaging in creative endeavors, or working on a project, green noise can be a game changer.

People who participate in listening to green noise also believe it creates a conducive environment for better focus and enhances productivity.

The calming sounds of nature can help you maintain a steady pace and complete tasks more efficiently.

Meditation and Mindfulness Meditation Aid

Green noise can help achieve tranquility, acting as a focal point for mindfulness and meditation practice. Whether you’re listening to the rhythmic chanting of cicadas or the crashing of waves, these nature inspired sounds can help transport you to a serene state of consciousness.

Where to Get Green Noise Sounds

If you want to give this sound a try, you can find these sounds on some of the popular music streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. They all provide you with playlists specifically featuring green noise.

Looking for an app? You're in luck! There are plenty of apps designed for sleep, relaxation, or meditation. You can search for them in the Apple App Store or Google Play. You can also ask Alexa or Google Assistant to play green noise to help create a relaxing or sleep-friendly environment.

The Different Colors of Noises

What differentiates one noise from the other? It's the volume level. The power is distributed across the various audible frequencies.

With green noise, there's more power in the lower frequency range. It is at 500 hertz or Hz, producing a less harsh sound to some people's ears compared to white noise. White noise has a sharp hissing quality, similar to a static TV's sound.

Pink noise frequently decreases in power with higher octaves to create a lower pitch, such as the sound of wind. Then there is Brown noise. Its power behind frequencies decreases twice as much as pink noise, resulting in the sound of a rumbling thunderstorm.

Final Thought

As you can hear, green noise varies a bit from white noise, but it can offer the same result, blocking out unwanted noise.

However, green noise is described as a more calming sound that can help you relax and sleep better. You can use a sound machine, download an app, or listen to a playlist to get green noise.

There are plenty of green noise options, so give it a try and see if it helps you relax and sleep better.

If you're looking for more ways to relax and fall asleep, check out our blog on the best podcasts to fall asleep to. It’s another great option to pair with green noise for a restful night’s sleep!