Pink noise and sleep

Most people chasing a good night's sleep have come across the term pink noise in the last few years.

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It is part of a growing trend in wellness circles, alongside mindful breathing and blue light filters on screens. But what exactly is it and does it really help us sleep better?

Pink noise is a type of sound that contains all the tones we can hear, but the lower ones are stronger than the higher ones. This gives it a softer, deeper quality than white noise, which spreads all tones evenly and can sound like static from an untuned radio. Listeners often describe pink noise as reminiscent of rain falling, wind through trees or a steady stream, which may explain why many people find it pleasant and relaxing.

Because it emphasises the lower tones, pink noise is sometimes called more "natural" than white noise. It is not a recording of nature itself, but it shares some qualities with the ambient hums we hear outdoors. The effect, at least in theory, is that this steady backdrop of sound can mask sudden, jarring noises.