



A low rumble of thunder rolls softly in the distance, accompanied by the gentle patter of rain droplets tapping rhythmically against your window. As the comforting sounds envelop you, you find yourself sinking deeper into your bed, guiding you into a deep sleep. This is what a sleep sound like rain could do.
Discover why white noise such as rain sounds can enhance your sleep quality in this article. We’ll also provide you with some of the best rain audio tracks for sleeping and relaxing.
White noise is a combination of sounds at different frequencies, all of which are within the human audible frequency range (20 Hz to 2,000 Hz). It maintains a consistent energy across various frequency bands, creating a uniform sound that masks other noises [1].
It usually sounds like a static or hissing-like sound. Some examples of white noise are the sounds of ocean waves crashing, the rain, the air conditioner, the fan, or a static television.
These are all sounds that can help to mask and drown out external noises and sometimes be soothing for different people.
To give you a better grasp of what white noise really is, imagine the soothing sound of a rainstorm. The steady rhythm of rain can be incredibly calming, often lulling you into a deep, restful sleep.
Think of the last time it was raining heavily outside, did you feel that irresistible urge to just snuggle up in bed? It’s probably because of how rain sounds just seem to make things feel much calmer and peaceful.
Here are also some rain white noise sounds for you to listen to, to help you get an idea of the relaxing experience that I am talking about.
Rain sounds can be described as relaxing because they are attributed to the sounds of nature.
Various research found that listening to natural sounds can increase parasympathetic response, activating the calming part of the nervous system [2]. Additionally, there are also psychological benefits of listening to nature sounds like rain sounds, such as:
Rain sounds create a peaceful atmosphere which is perfect for relaxation and stress relief. This in turn, promotes restful sleep.
Some of the benefits of using rain noise include:
White noise or rain sound can be extremely beneficial for babies and toddlers. It can help to soothe them if they wake up easily [5].
White noise mimics the sounds made in the womb such as heartbeat or digestive noises. This creates a soothing and familiar environment where babies and toddlers feel protected. Thus, helping them to improve sleep quality and duration [6].
You may also like: White Noise for Babies: Can White Noise Help Babies Sleep?
If you plan to incorporate rain white noise into your sleep routine, here are some tips to help you do so:
In conclusion, white noise like rain sounds can help to promote good sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster. It’s important to find the right audio that suits you by experimenting with different audio. Some rain sounds can be harsh and loud while others may be gentle and soft.
You may also try out the ShutEye® app for more soothing sleep sounds— from color noises, ambiance sounds, nature sounds, thunderstorm sounds, and more.
Amiri, M. J., Sadeghi, T., & Negahban Bonabi, T. (2017). The effect of natural sounds on the anxiety of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Perioperative medicine (London, England), 6, 17. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13741-017-0074-3
Bassett, A. (2024) Can white noise help babies sleep? [online]. Available at: https://huckleberrycare.com/blog/white-noise-for-babies-sleep#how_does_white_noise_help_babies_sleep
Ghasemi, S., Fasih-Ramandi, F., Monazzam, M. R., & Khodakarim, S. (2023). White Noise and Its Potential Applications in Occupational Health: A Review. Iranian journal of public health, 52(3), 488–499. Available at: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i3.12132
Raising Children (2023) Light and noise: better baby and toddler sleep [online]. Available at: https://raisingchildren.net.au/babies/sleep/where-your-baby-sleeps/light-noise
Van Hedger, S.C., Nusbaum, H.C., Clohisy, L. et al. Of cricket chirps and car horns: The effect of nature sounds on cognitive performance. Psychon Bull Rev 26, 522–530 (2019). Available at: https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-018-1539-1