Page 37 - Kallima Spiritual Centre - Newsletter - June-July 2021

What is White Noise?
White noise is a consistent sound which works by reducing background noise and other sounds, which give you a better chance of experiencing deeper meditations. It's not only caused by old televisions but by anything that gives a consistent sound or rhythm.
White noise has become popular to help treat some medical conditions whilst also helping people and babies fall asleep.
You might think of white noise like the sound of waves on a beach or talk radio playing quietly – something that overrides background noise.
You have heard white noise when you have an ‘untuned’ radio station, television static, whirring fans, humming air conditions and even hissing radiators.
History of White Noise Machines
In 1962, a travelling salesman called Jim Buckwalter, built the first white noise machine. His wife, who went with him on many of his working travels had grown used to the sound of air conditioners in various motels they had stayed in and subsequently found it difficult to sleep she didn't have the sound of an air conditioner in the room.
But it wasn't Jim Buckwalter who first discoverd 'white noise'. This was discovered in 1920 by engineers who used it as a test signal because, basically it is the sum of all frequencies of unaudible sound.
General Uses For White Noise
Today, new parents often use white noise to help their babies sleep, due to the fact it sounds like being in the womb, it also blocks out all over noises, therefore allowing babies (and everyone) to sleep more soundly.
There are machines which you can buy which
produce white noise which has been specifically designed with infants in mind. Some have been known to be equipped with lullabies or even a heartbeat noise which mimics that of their mother’s heartbeat in the womb.
In 1990's a scientific study was published regarding 'white noise': 40 newborns were studied and the results showed that 80 per cent of the babies fell asleep within the first 5 minutes of white noise being played.
There are some problems that this 'white noise' showed with regards to babies listening to white noise for extended periods of time, including it was shown to delay their speech, furthermore apparently they can become dependant on white
noise to be able to sleep.
Aids Adults with their Sleep
We all live busy lives, which can result in us having a hard time winding down at the end of the day, which can result in problems falling asleep.
Apparently over a third of adults have sleep problems. A lack of sleep can cause many problems including:
• Irritability
• Problems with immune system • Concentration
• Decision Making
• Driving Vehicles
• Operating Machinery
White noise is beneficial when used as a sleeping aid, it can help you fall asleep and prevent you from being disturbed by other noises.
A specialist in sleep disorders stated “It’s the inconsistency of sound or silence that’s disruptive”.
It's interesting to note that our brains naturally search out noises around us and since white noise blocks out disruptive sounds whilst providing enough noise, which as it is repetitive, allows your senses to relax (i.e. not pay attention to conversations, different notes etc) resulting in assisting you to obtain a good nights sleep.
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