Soothing music to put me to sleep

If you're like me, you have a vendetta against daylight savings. Despite blasting my “Sleep Music Fairy Emoji” Spotify playlist and counting way too many sheep, my bedtime still hasn't adjusted to the clocks jumping ahead an hour. Sure, the days getting longer and all sounds fabulous, but after too many nights of bedtime procrastination, I have to ask myself, At what cost? So, over the last few days, I've been upgrading my bedtime routine with undereye masks, a glass of Woodbridge wine, and naturally, the best deep sleep music I can think of. 

There are a few studies out there that show that music, especially relaxing sleep music, alleviates stress on your body caused by short-term and chronic sleep disorders. Listening to soothing music at bedtime can also improve sleep quality, meaning you're less likely to toss and turn at night. In that case, I will be blasting Mitski to soothe (or cry) myself to sleep—for science, of course. 

Michael Breus, PhD, a sleep specialist and author of Good Night: The Sleep Doctor's 4-Week Program to Better Sleep and Better Health, says relaxing music triggers changes to the body that in many ways mimic a sleep state. “A slower heart rate, slower breathing, lower blood pressure are all physiological changes that make possible the process of falling asleep and staying asleep,” he says. “Music also has a soothing effect on our emotional brain, easing stress and anxiety. If you’re listening to music that relaxes you before bed, you’re essentially helping to ‘tune’ your body to sleep mode, both physically and psychologically.”

But what exactly is the best calming sleep music to rock your body to bed? At first, the answer seems obvious: classical music. If Mozart isn't exactly your cup of Sleepytime Tea, though, there are a few pointers Breus says you can look toward. Slow beats are best, along with lyrics-free songs. In reality, the most peaceful music to sleep to is a personal choice. Among our editors' favorites? Lana Del Rey, white noise, sleep meditation music, Taylor Swift, and the Harry Potter audiobook. 

Below, check out some of Glamour editors’ favorite sleep music sounds that we use to tuck ourselves into bed at night. And if these don't work, maybe try these movies to fall asleep to?

The Spotify “Sleep” playlist

When the Spotify yearly roundup of music comes through, classical music makes up a large percentage of mine. That's because I often put on the sleep soundtrack at bedtime. The gentle tones send me right off to the land of Nod. —Samantha Barry, editor-in-chief

Phoebe Bridgers, “Savior Complex”

It feels like my days—both awake and dozed off—are filled with Phoebe Bridgers. The indie singer is America's darling at the moment, and her second album, Punisher, may be one of my favorite albums ever. You can't go wrong with any of the tracks on the L.P., especially her slower songs like “Savior Complex” and “Moon Song.” The former was my most streamed on Spotify last year, which makes total sense for someone who falls asleep blasting music via AirPods in her ear. —Ana Escalante, editorial assistant

Lana Del Rey, “Love Song”

To fall asleep, I usually prefer my white noise machine to music, but if I'm trying to nap on a plane or hotel, this is my go-to. Almost any Lana song could lull me to sleep. (I mean that as a compliment—she's my favorite artist of all time.) There's something about this one that's particularly dreamlike. She blends her signature talk-singing in the verses with an angelic chorus that's perfect to sooth my mind. Its simple, sweet, and a little sad—the perfect mix to send me off to sleep. —Bella Cacciatore, beauty writer

Jim Dale, the Harry Potter audiobooks

When I absolutely cannot fall asleep and the night feels spiky and interminable, I lie in bed and listen to the Harry Potter audiobooks, read by Jim Dale. It's entertaining but so, so soothing. It feels like a slow drip of liquid melatonin. —Jenny Singer, staff writer

Bob Dylan, Marcus Mumford, and Taylor Goldsmith, “When I Get My Hands on You”

Maybe it's because I’ve had this in my sleep playlist since college, or because I adore Marcus Mumford’s vocals in some of his lesser known work, but “When I Get My Hands on You” is one of my faves. Featured on The New Basement Tapes, the album’s title gives reference to a collection of legendary songs that were written and recorded by Bob Dylan in 1967 while he was recovering from a near-fatal motorcycle accident. Appropriately named, the collection of songs was written from the basement of Dylan’s small home and remained commercially unavailable until 1975. Fast-forward to 2014, when a group of artists including Elvis Costello, Rhiannon Giddens, Taylor Goldsmith, Jim Janes, and Marcus Mumford got together to collaborate for two weeks. Afterward they released The New Basement Tapes, an ode to Dylan’s “treasure trove of long-lost lyrics” and, quite obviously, a celebration of artists inspiring one another. That vibe is exactly what I want to be lulled to sleep with. —Allie Folino, art director

Dario Marianelli, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and the English Chamber Orchestra, Pride & Prejudice (soundtrack)

The soundtrack to the 2005 Pride & Prejudice adaptation is the most soothing emotional balm I can think of. I play this anytime my anxiety is becoming Too Much, which is often—as I work, while I make my morning tea, on walks in the park. And, of course, it's a staple at bedtime. Who wouldn't feel at ease drifting off to sleep as you dream about that Darcy hand flex? —Anna Moeslein, deputy editor

Lewis Watson, “Stones Around the Sun”

Another song that’s graced my sleep playlist for nearly a decade. I think we could all use a reminder every now and again to slow down…..don’t you think? —A.F.

Mereba, “On the Rocks”

With impeccable flow and wordplay, her entire album is storytelling that feels like it was made for a conversation you’d have with yourself right before bed. And with melodic tunes that echo softly, The Jungle Is the Only Way Out is R&B’s milk and honey. —Ruhama Wolle, associate editor

Sky Ferreira, “Night Time My Time”

Miss Ferreira needs to come out of retirement, ASAP. “Night Time, My Time,” the title track of her most recent album, has been on my Tumblr 2014-aesthetic playlist since it first came out, and I've been falling asleep to it ever since. The slow drums featured throughout the song complement Ferreira's sultry vocals, which feel like a big warm hug from a dark, moody queen. It's one of the slower songs found within her discography, so it's perfect for laying my head down at night. —A.E.

White noise

When I first moved in with my husband, he introduced me to sleeping with a sound machine. It took some time getting used to, but now I can't sleep without one. I didn’t like waking up to the white noise sound—I already have a hard enough time getting out of bed—so the Snooz was a compromise since it had a timer to shut off before the morning. —Gabriella Iannetta, associate director of audience development

Daniel Caesar, “Blessed”

When I'm not crying to this song, I'm falling asleep to it. The simple piano accompaniment is so soothing, and Caesar's vocals are like a warm hug for the ears. Of course, every song has a climax, and this one slowly builds at the bridge with a choir and organ—it's powerful and moving but not sudden (or loud enough) to wake me up if I'm already snoozing. —Ariana Yaptango, beauty editor

Hozier, “Like Real People Do”

This song is also a fixture on my bath playlist (yes, I have a bath playlist) and for good reason. A guitar plucks along in the background as Hozier's breezy voice sings chantlike verses. TBH, the lyrics are kind of creepy and unsettling, but the song sounds so peaceful and puts me in a trancelike haze perfect for snoozing. Get you a man who can do both! —A.Y.

Tyler, The Creator “OKAGA, CA—Instrumental”

I am a Tyler, The Creator stan first and a human being second. Aside from rapping, the Grammy-winning artist is known for his musical compositions and scoring abilities, having every song layered with a background of vibrant synths and calming drums. “OKAGA, CA” is one of the more mellow songs in his discography, transporting the listener through what seems to be a sunset drive in a Cadillac with the top down. It's my go-to song when I close my eyes for a midday summer nap, lounging around by the beach or a park. —A.E.

Stevie Wonder, “Ribbon in the Sky”

When I think of timeless, classic music, I automatically think of Stevie Wonder, and “Ribbon in the Sky” is the perfect love song to lullaby you right to sleep. The notes from his classic piano and the live orchestra make this my standby sound for soothing me right into dreamland. You may shed a tear or two, but that's fine. —Cortni Spearman, senior social media manager

Marconi Union, “Weightless”

When I had a baby three years ago, someone suggested I play this ambient track to get him to bed—and calm myself down. The British group that created the song collaborated with sound therapists to make sure it did a variety of relaxing things including lower heart rate and cortisol. The song is so relaxing that a neurology study found it to reduce levels of stress and anxiety by a whopping 65% and produced a greater state of relaxation than any other music tested to date. Needless to say, it’s a nightly standard in our house. —Perrie Samotin, digital director

Calm App sleep stories

I love the Calm app's sleep stories. At first I thought it was just Harry Styles's dreamy voice (he recorded a story for the meditation and sleep app) working some kind of magic, but literally every story I've played since has lulled me to sleep in minutes. —Talia Abbas, commerce editor

Mazzy Star, “Fade Into You”

Basically the adult equivalent of a lullaby, this peaceful, wistful song is not only perfect for scoring every love montage imaginable, but it helps me drift off to sleep in no time. —B.C.

Lofi Girl, “Lofi Hip Hop Radio - Beats to Relax/Study To”

If you're somewhat online, you've definitely seen this cover art of the anime girl and her cat methodically working. While the entire lo-fi and hip-hop beats vibe movement was somewhat of an innocent meme when it first came out, the music that YouTube creators stream seriously puts me in the best mood to unwind after a long and productive day. Unlike a specific set playlist, the livestream video is set like a radio station, meaning every day there are new indie artists and independent musicians to discover—most of them making chill, ambient music I can turn on at night. —A.E.

John Mayer, “No Such Thing”

While a die-hard Swiftie will argue you can't be a Taylor and John fan, I have to disagree. John's first album is so warm and nostalgic—it's my go-to before bed. —Channing Smith, junior designer

Sufjan Stevens, “To Be Alone With You” 

Sufjan Stevens has a lot of tracks I'd put on a “sleep songs” playlist, but I find his gentle near-whisper singing on “To Be Alone With You” to be especially relaxing. If I had to pick one song to soundtrack every future rainy Sunday morning, the kind where you do nothing but pull the comforter over your head, this is it. –A.M.

Ana Escalante is the editorial assistant at Glamour.

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