Certain unusual sounds can do more than entertain you—they may influence your health in surprising ways. Researchers are increasingly exploring their ability to relieve stress, ease anxiety and even positively influence brain chemistry.
In truth, there’s nothing new about healing with sound. Cultures around the world have used it to soothe and stimulate mental health for thousands of years.
Take the haunting melodies of the Andean panpipes, for example. Originally crafted from bone and clay, these ancient instruments are now typically made from bamboo. But their calming, evocative sound has endured through the centuries.
The sounds produced by this instrument can be happy, sad, haunting and almost otherworldly. But Andean flute music is one of those relaxing sounds that you can listen to and experience an overwhelming sense of well-being.
And then there is the conch shell. Historically, Hindus and Buddhists have treasured the conch shell, or “shell trumpet,” believing its powerful sound could clear negative energy and invoke universal truth.
🌀The Science Behind Sound Baths
Now, sound therapists and meditation instructors have created what are known as Sound Baths. They use unusual instruments to produce sounds of different frequencies that hum, vibrate and drone to relax and balance the body. Basically, you get “bathed” in sound waves. A sound bath administered by a professional includes guided meditation, along with the overlapping sounds.
Their arsenal of instruments includes things like singing bowls, chimes, tuning forks, rattles, bells and the voice – such as chanting “ohmm.” So it doesn’t have the rise and fall of melodies, harmonies and rhythms found in today’s music. It’s more like an audio collage of overtones.
The music produced by singing bowls, in particular, has been shown to significantly reduce pain levels, along with feelings of tension, anger, fatigue and depression.
And patients who meditate with singing bowl music show a greater reduction in blood pressure than those who meditate in silence.
When you’re feeling relaxed and balanced, when your pain levels are reduced and your blood pressure is lower, you will automatically lessen your body’s levels of inflammation. And as you know, inflammation plays a large role in your future health outcomes.
While a sound bath takes you into a deep state of meditation, you don’t necessarily need to go see a professional to gain the effects.
🌈 How to Create Your Own Sound Bath
If you like, you can create your own sound bath right in your home.
First, choose your sound. You can find a decent selection of free sound bath options here. I’m sure there are other websites with a lot of great options, just look around on the internet.
Then, darken the room and light a candle to set the tone. Put on some headphones to block out distractions, and settle down in a comfy spot.
Take a couple of long, deep breaths and then start your session.
I also like taking in natural sound baths.
You’ve heard about Forest Bathing or walking through the parks. Part of the reason they are so great at relieving stress is because of the noises you hear. The flutter of leaves in the trees, the birds chirping or the gurgling of the nearby creek.
You can take a blanket with you and lay down with nature to get a 100% natural sound bath.
The ocean also provides a great place to immerse yourself with the sounds of nature.
You’ve got the gentle roar of the ocean, the waves breaking at the shore and the sounds of seagulls crying. While you’re at it, you get a good bunch of clean, ozonated salt air besides the sound.
No matter how you decide to get your sound therapy, just relax…listen… and enjoy.
SOURCES:
Nasrat SA, Alskafi FA, Ahmad DY, Alameri RO, Albadawna HA, Aldosari AJ, Alkhanbouli AM, Alkindi MS, Alzaabi SS, Jelinek HF. The Effect of Tibetan Singing Bowls on Stress Reduction: A Heart Rate Variability Study. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2025 Jul;2025:1-4.
Goldsby TL, Goldsby ME, McWalters M, Mills PJ. Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(3):401-406.
Landry JM. Physiological and psychological effects of a Himalayan singing bowl in meditation practice: a quantitative analysis. Am J Health Promot. 2014 May-Jun;28(5):306-9.
