Turns out it’s pink noise, not white noise, that will help you get to sleep

And it could improve your memory, too

pink sleep
(Image credit: Mode/REX/Shutterstock)

And it could improve your memory, too

If you're suffering from insomnia, chances are you've probably tried out a lot of different sleep aids already. There is nothing worse than not being able to sleep.

And there's really nothing more counterintuitive to getting your sleep patterns back on track than having that dreaded sleep anxiety and panic that comes from a couple of nights of sleep deprivation.

Whether or not you've already tried cleaning up your sleep hygiene, or have dabbled with external help like sleep therapy, you might just find this interesting.

You know how people tell you that background noise can help you nod off when you're struggling? It's usually the worries of everyday life that play in our minds when we can't get to sleep so it makes sense that some sound blocks that all off.

White noise has long been used to soothe insomniacs and even to get babies to sleep. It's that static noise that you'll have heard when a television is on the blink.

But now, scientific research published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience are saying that pink noise - which is basically a more relaxing version of the static - can help you get a nice deep sleep. Apparently, it can even improve your memory over time by increasing the slow wave activity in your brain.

People taking part in the study found that those who slept to pink noise performed three times better during memory exercises the next morning than those who did not.

Above is an example of one hour of pink noise which at a low level, is somehow relaxing. Perhaps it's because the sound resembles crashing waves?

And, if you go on YouTube, you can find up to 10 hours of pink noise available on one video - if you do want to give having it on all night a go.

Delphine Chui