Living in Brooklyn has its perks, but it’s not without challenges—especially when it comes to finding peace and quiet at night. Between the constant hum of city noise, my neighbor’s kid who loves running down the stairs at all hours, doors slamming, and the never-ending street commotion, getting a good night’s sleep seemed almost impossible. That was, until I discovered the magic of my “Sleepy Time” playlist filled with brown noise and white noise tracks.
Why White Noise and Brown Noise?
White noise and brown noise have been game-changers for me. White noise creates a consistent shushing sound that masks disruptive background noises, from honking cars to loud conversations on the street. Brown noise, with its deeper, more immersive quality, drowns out the sounds like doors slamming or the sudden urge of my upstairs neighbor to rearrange furniture at 3am.
The white noise machine I used to use: LectroFan High Fidelity White Noise Machine with 20 Unique Non-Looping Fan and White Noise Sounds and Sleep Timer
Creating the Perfect Sleep Environment
The real magic happens when I play my “Sleepy Time” playlist. It transforms my bedroom from a noisy Brooklyn apartment into a tranquil sanctuary. The playlist’s mix of white and brown noise helps create a barrier against the outside world, letting me focus solely on resting. The sounds wash over me, providing a steady backdrop that’s conducive to sleep.
I used to use a white noise machine, but nowadays, all you need is a smart device to say:
Okay Google, play my sleepy time playlist.
I love these little devices. I find they can be loud enough too!
Google Nest Mini 2nd Generation Smart Speaker with Google Assistant – Charcoal
Staying Asleep Through the Night
The consistent hum of the noises in my playlist also plays a critical role in helping me stay asleep. Before I started using the playlist, I would wake up multiple times a night—startled by a car alarm or the late-night adventures of the upstairs neighbors. Now, these disturbances don’t even register, or if they do, they blend into the background noise, allowing me to sleep through the night without interruption.
Building Your Own “Sleepy Time” Playlist
Interested in crafting your own nighttime soundtrack? Start by exploring different white and brown noise tracks—there are plenty available on streaming services and dedicated sleep apps. Experiment with volumes and mixes that might work for you. What’s soothing for one person might be too much or too little for another, so it’s all about finding your perfect balance.
If you use Spotify, you can use my actual “Sleepy Time” playlist.
Conclusion
Navigating city life in Brooklyn means dealing with a lot of noise, but finding the right tools to mitigate these disturbances has been essential for my sleep health. My “Sleepy Time” playlist is more than just a collection of sounds; it’s a nightly routine that prepares me for a restful night. If you’re struggling with similar issues, give a personalized playlist a try. It just might be the solution you need to block out the world and drift off into a peaceful, uninterrupted sleep.