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- This Song Is the Only Thing That Helps Me Fall Asleep When I'm Feeling Overwhelmed
This Song Is the Only Thing That Helps Me Fall Asleep When I'm Feeling Overwhelmed
Sleep has always been – and will always be – a top priority of mine. I depend on sleep (and coffee) to help me function throughout the day, and if I don’t get enough, my productivity suffers. But sometimes stress and anxiety get in the way of my slumber, and I find myself lying awake in the wee hours of the morning. Usually, I can pinpoint the source of my anxiety and restlessness. However, it’s not always so simple.
In today’s climate, there are plenty of reasons to feel overwhelmed. I try my best to turn off my brain once my head hits the pillow, but that’s not always possible. If other remedies like reading, using a weighted blanket, or adding extra pillows don’t work, there’s always one trick I can rely on to help me fall asleep: listening to music. In fact, there’s one specific song I play on repeat.
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I’m unsure when “To Build a Home” by The Cinematic Orchestra, featuring Patrick Watson, officially became my magic sleeping spell – but over time, I found myself gravitating to this song, and it eventually became a habit.
It’s six minutes and 10 seconds of pure orchestral perfection. Watson’s soothing voice over a backdrop of piano chords instantly puts me at ease and helps me reset my breathing and heart rate. While the song builds, I allow myself to breathe in anything that may be stressing me out, and then as the tempo slows, with my eyes closed, I release those anxieties.
I repeat this trick a few times, and by the end, I feel a lot more relaxed and, in a way, vulnerable. If you often struggle to fall sleep too, then I recommend you find a song that has a similarly meditative effect on you. Borrow mine, if you like!