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Sound

Soundscapes for focus: rain, waves and brown noise

Which background sounds help with what.

By Ren Okada5 min ritual

Silence isn't always calming. For many people a steady, gentle background sound is easier to settle into, because it masks the unpredictable noises that pull attention away.

Rain and waves are natural favourites: steady but slightly varied. 'Brown noise' is deeper and rumblier than white noise and many people find it softer to listen to. Lo-fi instrumentals work too, as long as there are no lyrics to follow.

Keep the volume low, just enough to soften the room, and experiment. Different sounds suit different tasks and moods.

Try the ritual
  • Try three sounds for 10 minutes each: rain, waves, brown noise.
  • Keep the volume low.
  • Note which one helps you settle fastest.
  • Save it as your go-to focus sound.
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