A new online tool, The sound of wellness, aims to cure everyday issues through the power of coloured noise. White noise has been a front-and-centre favourite, but recently experts have been speaking out about the benefits of different colour frequency noises, such as pink, brown and green noise, and white.
Currys spoke with a professor of psychology at the Goldsmiths University of London, Joydeep Bhattacharya to discover the benefits of particular sounds for different issues to help develop the tool.
Green and blue noise to help you relax
A stressful day at work or going through a personal crisis can take its toll on inner peace. Maintaining a balance can be challenging, and noise can help here specifically green and blue noise.
Professor Bhattacharya explains: “Certain sounds, when applied in a regulated manner, can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing by eliciting specific emotional responses, promoting positive emotions, reducing stress, resisting fatigue, acting as a form of background noise, and helping to improve our cognitive performance and even sleep.”
Green noise is more like a natural background tone at around 500Hz. It is fairly similar to pink or brown noise but is usually more pleasant and relaxing to the ear. It sounds like trickling waterfalls, rumbling rivers or waters crashing on the beach.
Like green noise, blue noise brings a soundtrack that can improve mental health. Blue noise is a sound colour that is proportional to its frequency, which means that the power and energy of the signal increase as the frequency increases. It’s usually used by sound audiologists for dithering but can help mask other high-frequency sounds. It sounds like water running from a tap or water hissing.
Violet noise or black noise for relaxation
If someone is feeling edgy, nervous or tense – violet or black noise has been shown to aid relaxation and help you unwind during high-stress periods.
Black noise is the absence of sound; while there is no playlist for black noise for obvious reasons, noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs are a great way to block out external sound.
Violet noise is the inverted version of brown noise – its power density increases per octave with an increasing rate over a finite frequency range. This high-frequency range can mask other high-frequency noises, which is why it benefits people with tinnitus. It is comparable to the sound of a tap running or the sound of a jet spray.
Five quick tips to help you relax
Try breath work
Breathing exercises are one of the simplest relaxation strategies that you can use, particularly if you’re feeling stressed. Start by breathing into a slow count of three and breath out to the same slow count of three. Repeat this as many times as necessary.
Do something creative
Whether you like to paint, bake, or knit, creating something from start to finish can be therapeutic and rewarding. It gives your mind a break from the things in your life that may make you anxious.
Disconnect from tech
Being hunched behind various devices can have a negative impact on your mental health, so make sure to take a step back from your electronics. Go for a walk, get lost in a good book or socialise with friends and family.
Essential oils
Aromatherapy can be a powerful way to help you unwind. Lavender, chamomile, sage and rose oil are the best scents for relaxation. Pop a few drops in a diffuser and practice your breathwork to feel the stress melt away.
Jot down your thoughts in a journal
Journaling is a great way to unload and release your thoughts from your mind. It can help you assess what worries you so you have a starting point to tackle your problems.
