On campus, music is everywhere. Headphones in and reality out, there’s a song for each moment of our day. But when we sleep too little and study too much, playlists are there for the long haul.
If you find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, or suffering sleep deprivation, music can be a wonderful sleep aid. However, it has the ability to either help or hinder sleep. It’s important to choose songs that have a soothing, calming and melodic beat with little-to-no lyrics. These songs will subconsciously meditate the mind and regulate breathing, preparing you for the best night’s sleep.
Music can also be a great study tool for getting work done or preparing for an upcoming exam. When sleep is the last thing on your mind, the best songs for studying are those that create stimulation and concentration. It’s important to choose songs that are entertaining but eliminate distractions. These songs are the perfect mix of an attention-grabbing upbeat, with a tranquil down tempo.
For sleep…
“Serenity” by Änimal: These mellow chords have an electronic vibe that will unwind you from a busy day.
“Nevergreen” by Emancipator: This trip-hop single has a downbeat, electronic feel. It’s a soothing remedy to fall fast asleep.
“Loud Pipes” by Ratatat: This track comes from an electronic rock NYC duo. If you need to alleviate stress and drown out any worries, this beat if for you.
“Your Hand in Mine” by Explosions in the Sky: This purely instrumental song is not only beautiful, but also carries the potential of a calming nighttime prep.
“You Are All I See” by Active Child: This song is a downright deep cleansing of the soul. It will have you reminiscing on your day and anticipating tomorrow’s day to come.
“Soft Collared Neck” by Helios: It’s delicate, yet passionate lyrics will have you dosing off to sleep as soon as you hear its calming melody.
For Studying:
“Towers” by Bon Iver: An indie-folk wonder, this song will keep you calm under stress, yet maintain attention.
“Paradise” by Coldplay: This song allows you to escape reality and drown out the noise of the world as engage in a deep study session.
“Skinny Love” by Birdy: Birdy gives an elegant, fresh alternative to Bon Iver’s original. You’ll fall in love with her voice and the song!
“Call It What You Want” by Foster the People: This song has an amazing beat and engaging vibe. It’s a refreshing spark of creativity that drowns out noisy distractions.
“Little Lion Man” by Mumford & Sons: Who doesn’t love Mumford and Sons? If this song isn’t on your playlist, it should be. And on repeat!
“Kids” by MGMT: This song is all around catchy and will have you studying for hours!
Photo by Sam Florio
