Radio for sleep: how to fall asleep to the radio
Many people fall asleep more easily with gentle background sound: a calm voice, slow music, the murmur of a late-night news show. Online radio is perfect for this, as long as you set it up right. Hereâs how.
Always use a sleep timer
Rule number one: donât leave the radio on all night. Besides draining battery and data, a sudden loud track or ad can wake you up. Set a 20â45 minute timer: thatâs usually how long it takes to fall asleep. In the My VibeOn Android app the sleep timer is in the player; on iPhone you can use the Clock app timer with the âStop Playingâ option.
Which genres to choose
- Chillout and ambient: slow rhythms and soft sounds, no volume spikes.
- Classical music: piano or string pieces work best; avoid symphonies with loud crescendos.
- Slow jazz and smooth jazz: relaxing, without intrusive lyrics.
- Talk radio at low volume: for some people a calm voice works better than music, like a conversation in the background.
Volume and where to put the phone
The right volume is one you can barely hear: if you find yourself following it closely, itâs too loud. Put the phone on the nightstand, not under your pillow, and plug it in if you listen for long. If you use a Bluetooth speaker, keep it away from the bed and at the lowest volume.
Headphones or not?
Regular headphones get uncomfortable when you turn over in bed. If you want to use them, choose soft earbuds or headband headphones made for sleeping, and keep the volume very low. If you share the bed, theyâre the way not to disturb your partner.
Avoid the screen and notifications
Start the radio, set the timer and turn the screen off. Turn on âDo Not Disturbâ: a bright notification or a sound in the middle of the night ruins the relaxing effect. With the app the radio keeps playing with the screen off; in the browser some phones may stop it, so test it first.
Frequently asked questions
How much data does a night of radio use? With a 30-minute timer at 128 kbps, about 29 MB. Leaving it on for 8 hours would use about 460 MB: one more reason to use the timer.
Stations with ads or without? Night-time music stations usually have few ads. If ads bother you, try themed chillout or classical stations.
Does radio really help you sleep? It depends on the person: some sleep better in silence. Try it for a few nights and keep what works for you. If you have ongoing sleep problems, talk to a doctor.