Music is a powerful medium of expression. It evokes a range of emotions, some you never knew you had. It can take you from feeling excited and energized to relaxed and tranquil. It can boost your mood to ease symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety and, in some cases, even relieve physical pain.
Music and meditation both have therapeutic effects on the mind and body. This guide looks at our top picks for the best meditation music for sleep to lull you into a deep slumber so you wake up feeling refreshed.
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Best Overall
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Best With Nature Sounds
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Best for Deep Relaxation
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Best for Deep Sleep
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Best Meditation Chants
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9.7
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9.6
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9.6
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9.5
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9.2
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Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
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Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
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Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
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Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
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Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
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73 min
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69 min
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60 min
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43 min
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74 min
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New age
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New age
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New age
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New age
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New age
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How We Tested and Compared These Products
We listened to hundreds of hours of meditation music to assess the most effective tunes for sleep. The benchmark we set was simple: Music helped us fall asleep fast and sleep through the night. We were also interested in music that was available in multiple listening formats. Here’s what we found.
Best Overall: Chakra Suite Meditation Music for Sleep and Healing
Product Overview:
- Available formats: Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
- Length: 73 minutes
- Genre: New age
Steven Halpern’s Chakra Suite is one of the bestselling meditation music albums. It features 20 tracks, seven of which are musical keynotes designed to resonate with the seven chakras and restore balance.
What We Like About It
Every keynote of the album incorporates hypnotic harmonics and intricate overtones, delivering one of the most remarkable psychoacoustic effects we’ve experienced.
When we listened to the tracks through earphones, the effect was breathtaking. It felt like we had an out-of-body experience, almost like we were being teleported into a different dimension. It was the best sleep we had had in a long time.
What We Don’t Like
The sound quality could have been better. Some tracks sound louder than others.
What Previous Buyers Had to Say
One who has been listening to Chakra Suite roughly four times a week for 10 years reports that it always worked well to calm his mind and soothe him to sleep. He also noted some issues with the volume levels, but overall appears to be quite satisfied with the album.
Best Alternatives
Best Meditation Music With Nature Sounds: Robbins Island Music
Product Overview:
- Available formats: Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
- Length: 69 minutes
- Genre: New age
The Robbins Island Music for Healing album features 11 tracks masterfully crafted for deep sleep, relaxation, meditation, and restoration. The compilation is designed to tame the body’s fight-or-flight response, allowing the brain to transition into a state of rest.
What We Like About It
We like that it incorporates nature sounds into the meditation music to create a tranquil atmosphere that instantly puts you in relaxation mode. There’s something fundamentally soothing about jungle sounds that put you to sleep within minutes.
What We Don’t Like
If you don’t enjoy meditation music with nature sounds, this might not be the best album for you.
What Previous Buyers Had to Say
Most users find it calming and relaxing. Some buyers like listening to it to help them relax after a long day, while others prefer to play it in the background as they work.
Best for Deep Relaxation: Beyond Dreams
Product Overview:
- Available formats: Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
- Length: 60 minutes
- Genre: New age
The Beyond Dreams album from multi-platinum-selling composer Hennie Bekker is a masterpiece. It features six meditation tracks meticulously crafted with sonic effects designed to sync with the rhythm of your heartbeat.
What We Like About It
Each somnolent track sent us into a trance. It didn’t take long before we dozed off. The tracks run for 8-12 minutes each, so you only need to listen to one or two to fall asleep. We also like the smooth transition between tracks. You barely notice it.
What We Don’t Like
The album only has six songs. We would have liked to hear more of Bekker’s music for listening variety.
What Previous Buyers Had to Say
One user reported that it is remarkably effective in getting them to sleep, even with the incessant barking of the neighbor’s dogs.
Best for Deep Sleep: Soothing Guitar and Cello Meditation Music for Sleep
Product Overview:
- Available formats: Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
- Length: 43 minutes
- Genre: New age
Ryan Judd is a music composer and board-certified music therapist. His album – An Open Sky – is a calming collection of soothing guitar and cello sounds specially designed for yoga, meditation, massages, and other well-being practices.
What We Like About It
We felt a deep calm wash over us when we started listening to it. The gentle sounds of the guitar and cello were so soothing we could almost feel the stress and tension melting away and leaving our bodies. If anxiety is keeping you up at night, you’ll want to give this a listen.
What We Don’t Like
The length of each track is a little too short for our liking. We would also have liked to hear more cello.
What Previous Buyers Had to Say
One buyer purchased the album for their mother, who has Alzheimer’s. According to their review, she listens to it every night, and it helps her fall asleep and stay asleep.
Best Chants: Tibetan Monk Chants Meditation Music for Sleep and Relaxation
Product Overview:
- Available formats: Streaming, MP3, Audio CD
- Length: 74 minutes
- Genre: New age
Tibetan monk chants have proven effective in calming anxiety. Rest & Relaxation’s Tibetan Monk Chants album features 13 powerful vocal incantations, Tibetan music, and Buddhist chants of the Dalai Lama. These tracks have been curated for meditation, relaxation, and deep sleep.
What We Like About It
The beautiful meditation chants create a nice and relaxing atmosphere reminiscent of what you expect in a Buddhist monastery. It is perfect for clearing any lingering bad energy within you and in your space, allowing you to relax and sleep soundly.
What We Don’t Like
Some tracks are a little louder than others and might startle you if you’re in a deep meditative state. We recommend playing it at a lower volume than you normally would.
What Previous Buyers Had to Say
One user reported that it was quite effective in getting them to sleep. They also stated that the chants improved their chronic pain and constant muscle spasms.
Benefits of Listening to Meditation Music for Sleep
Meditation music isn’t just great for well-being practices like yoga, meditation, or massages. It has also proven remarkably effective in promoting deep restorative sleep, allowing you to wake up feeling rested and refreshed. Here are some additional benefits of listening to meditation music for sleep.
Keeps Your Heart Healthy
Studies show a clear correlation between meditation and cardiovascular health. Listening to meditation music for sleep reduces your chances of a stroke or heart attack. It lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
Relieves Pain
According to a 2012 study, listening to soothing music after surgery is almost as effective as pharmacological medication in pain management. Meditation music has also been known to provide relief to individuals who suffer from chronic pain.
Calms Anxiety
If you suffer from anxiety, listening to calming meditation music syncs your heart rate to the beat, allowing you to relax. It also lowers the amount of cortisol, the hormone associated with stress.
Sharpens Memory
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed significant improvement in cognitive and memory function among older individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a natural remedy to keep you from tossing and turning all night, consider incorporating meditation music into your nighttime routine. It is an effective sleep aid and offers a ton of benefits to your health and well-being.
Check out this guide to learn how to listen to meditation music properly.
FAQ
Should you listen to meditation music while sleeping?
Yes, you should, especially if you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Meditation music lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, allowing you to fall asleep faster and wake feeling refreshed.
How long does it take to fall asleep with meditation music?
The time it takes to fall asleep varies widely for different people. It might take 30-45 minutes to fall asleep if you are a chronic insomniac. Individuals with less severe sleeping issues can fall asleep within 15-30 minutes.
How does listening to meditation music for sleep affect the brain?
It calms the autonomic nervous system, reducing your heart rate and blood pressure, and causing you to breathe slower. It also lowers the levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and promotes the production of melatonin which helps you sleep.
