Some people rely on background noise to sleep because it helps them feel secure and distracts them from anxious thoughts.
Some people cannot sleep without background noise, and there may be more to it than just a preference.
A therapist explains that this habit might be linked to deeper emotional issues.
The noise, whether from a fan, television, or music, can help distract the brain from distressing thoughts or feelings of loneliness.
Some people need sound sleep because it helps them cope with past trauma or anxiety.
The noise calms the mind and creates a sense of security.
Why do some people rely on background noise to fall asleep?
A TikTok mental health account suggests that trouble sleeping in silence may be connected to trauma.
This could be related to abandonment issues.
The continuous noise provides a subconscious sense of companionship, tricking the brain into believing that one is not alone while falling asleep.
Understanding why some people sleep with background noise shows how external sounds can help them avoid facing deep emotional struggles.
DCLAnxiety said: “Not being able to fall asleep without background noise is extremely common with many mental health issues.
“It’s a trauma response to abandonment issues.
The noise tricks your brain into thinking you aren’t falling asleep alone.”
When people fill their attentional capacity with noise or distractions, they may be trying to avoid facing unresolved issues.
These issues often bring up unpleasant emotions or thoughts.
Juulia Karlstedt, a counselor who specialises in anxiety and perfectionism, said:
“Effectively, we fill our attentional capacity to the max with other stimuli to have no resources left for the things we are trying to avoid.
“The minute the distraction stops, the unpleasant emotions and thoughts normally spring up again in full force.”
However, not everyone who sleeps with background noise necessarily does so due to abandonment issues or trauma responses.
Some individuals may find comfort or relaxation in the presence of noise, whether it be white noise, music, or other ambient sounds.
Social media reactions
On social media, numerous online users expressed their opinions on the issue.
Ever since I was a small child I’ve slept with the TV on
I can sometimes sleep without it if I happen to just fall asleep but 99% of the time I need the background noise, one user said.
I put on friends because I’ve seen it a million times so I don’t need to totally focus or anything to know what’s going on.
It helps my brain not think of everything and keep me up all night, the third user commented.
It takes me more time to fall asleep if I don’t hear the fan in my room.
Even when there’s no need for the fan to be on, I have to keep it on for the quiet noise it makes, another wrote.