Home Why is waking up to music beneficial?

Enjoying this article?

Share it with the world!

Morning Routines

2 mins.

29 June 2022

Why is waking up to music beneficial?

#music and sleep #morning routine #sleep wellbeing #morning wellbeing #music in the morning

Waking up to the usual monotony of an alarm can leave you regretting that late night Netflix binge or social media scroll, leaving you groggy and unwilling to face the day. 



Introducing happy melodic tunes into your morning routine can be the difference between waking up energised and wishing you’d had a few more hours in bed. 



Not only is listening to music upon waking a pleasant experience, it actually releases hormones that improve your mood and increase positive emotions. According to research, upon listening to music that is particularly pleasing, dopamine is released in your brain, which is a hormone that invokes happy and rewarding feelings.

The impact that music has on your mornings 

Increased energy 

RMIT university states in a 2020 study that listening to music in the mornings instead of your alarm could help to increase energy levels and alertness throughout the day.



Having wake up music is especially beneficial to early morning shift workers who need to be at peak performance in the mornings, such as healthcare workers. 

A reduction of sleep inertia

You may think hearing the same repetitive alarm beep every morning would actually be beneficial as it would prepare you for the day and would allow your brain to associate the sound with waking up, however having upbeat and motivating music to wake up to can actually do a lot more to improve your morning activity. 



A study published on PLOS ONE in 2020, involving 50 participants, details the relationship between ‘sleep inertia’ and melodic wake up alarms. Sleep inertia can be defined as negative symptoms immediately felt after waking, for example grogginess, decreased concentration and cognitive function, and clumsiness. 



The study found that people who were woken up by music as opposed to a regular alarm experienced a reduction in negative symptoms upon waking. 



Stimulate your mornings

What music is good to wake up to? Well, listening to upbeat and positive music can help to refresh your mind and body and motivate you to perform better in your daily activities. 



Songs featuring words of encouragement or affirmation may help to kickstart your re-energised day. Songs such as ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams or ‘Beautiful Day’ by U2 are examples of songs that can influence your mood and your overall feelings about the day. 

Can music help you sleep better, too?

The versatility of music has meant that it has been used for multiple different reasons, such as improving sleep, motivating exercise, relaxation and improving moods. Not only can it help alter your morning routine, it can also positively affect your nightly routine and improve your sleep.

The science behind music-aided sleep

A study conducted by the National Library of Medicine in 2005 found that older adults’ sleep quality was enhanced through listening to music, based on their bedtime routine, physical activity and sleep aids, such as herbal teas. The study not only resulted in better quality of sleep, but longer sleep times and less disturbances to their sleep. 



Additionally, music can also play a part in helping to reduce cognitive decline. A study conducted by Caroline Lustenberger discusses that using auditory stimulations at specific frequency levels can be used to enhance sleep duration and improve the quality of the ‘deep sleep’ phase. Disturbances in sleep and the reduction of sleep duration is found to be associated with certain cognitive conditions, such as Alzheimers, and also with the progression of age. Improving the quality of the ‘deep sleep’ phase could help to reduce and prevent these types of conditions in the future.



So not only can music help you wake up better, it can also help you sleep better too. Have a look at these other guides on sleep health and sleep wellness for other ways to get a better night’s sleep. 

Re-tune your wake up cycle with these song recommendations  

Below are a few song suggestions that can help to motivate and energise you and help you get the best out of your mornings. 

More from Sunrise by Emma

If you're interested in learning more about getting the best start to your day, Sunrise by Emma is here for you with articles on sleep health and sleep wellness that provide great tips on how you can sleep better so each morning is something to look forward to! Mattresses and pillows on Emma UK also provide great sleep support that can add to how restful you'll wake up.

If you enjoyed this article, don't keep it to yourself!

Share it with your friends!

Can music help you sleep?

There is a common perception that relaxing melodies can help you fall asleep. After all, parents have been singing lullabies to their children for centuries. But does this ring true for all age groups? Will your partner singing you a lullaby make you sleep? Can calm music aid in getting better sleep? The answer is pretty straightforward: yes! Loud sounds or noises make you feel agitated and annoyed, while soft, calming sounds help you relax and fall asleep.Research also shows that nature sounds such as rain, water streams and wind significantly improve sleep efficiency.
Sleep Habits

Related Articles

The benefits of reading a book before bed

Losing yourself in a novel or engrossing yourself in someone’s life story is certainly a great way to pass the time, but did you know reading before bed comes with a whole host of benefits? From the way you think to the way you feel, incorporating reading into your bedtime routine can greatly impact your day-to-day life.
Rise and Shine

The benefits of reading a book before bed

Losing yourself in a novel or engrossing yourself in someone’s life story is certainly a great way to pass the time, but did you know reading before bed comes with a whole host of benefits? From the way you think to the way you feel, incorporating reading into your bedtime routine can greatly impact your day-to-day life.
Rise and Shine

7 Spring cleaning steps to a sleep-friendly bedroom

Now that spring is here and the flowers are blooming, it’s the perfect time to start a spring clean. Considering we spend around a third of our lives sleeping, the bedroom is one of the most used rooms in a home, so giving it a good clean is worth your time and effort. What’s more, giving your bedroom a good spring clean could help you to sleep better at night and awaken your best. When your sleeping space is clean and organised, it can help you feel more relaxed and prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep, all while improving your overall sleep hygiene.
Sleep Knowledge

7 Spring cleaning steps to a sleep-friendly bedroom

Now that spring is here and the flowers are blooming, it’s the perfect time to start a spring clean. Considering we spend around a third of our lives sleeping, the bedroom is one of the most used rooms in a home, so giving it a good clean is worth your time and effort. What’s more, giving your bedroom a good spring clean could help you to sleep better at night and awaken your best. When your sleeping space is clean and organised, it can help you feel more relaxed and prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep, all while improving your overall sleep hygiene.
Sleep Knowledge

6 habits for a good night´s sleep

There is no right or wrong way to sleep, but it is important to make time to work on a routine that works for you. There are, however, some habits before bedtime that may improve your sleep quality. These include:  
Sleep Habits

6 habits for a good night´s sleep

There is no right or wrong way to sleep, but it is important to make time to work on a routine that works for you. There are, however, some habits before bedtime that may improve your sleep quality. These include:  
Sleep Habits

Seasonal summer foods to benefit your sleep

A good night’s sleep is something we all crave and need, especially after a busy or stressful day. However, many people do struggle with obtaining enough sleep, or sleeping undisturbed throughout the night. Sleep quality can be affected by the summer months due to interruptions by night sweats or overheating. Summertime sleep-related issues are said to affect around 33% of the British population, who are thought to be sensitive to sleep disturbances during this time. That being said, there are certain summer foods that are renowned for containing a lot of nutrients and vitamins that aid in improving sleep quality.
Sleep Knowledge

Seasonal summer foods to benefit your sleep

A good night’s sleep is something we all crave and need, especially after a busy or stressful day. However, many people do struggle with obtaining enough sleep, or sleeping undisturbed throughout the night. Sleep quality can be affected by the summer months due to interruptions by night sweats or overheating. Summertime sleep-related issues are said to affect around 33% of the British population, who are thought to be sensitive to sleep disturbances during this time. That being said, there are certain summer foods that are renowned for containing a lot of nutrients and vitamins that aid in improving sleep quality.
Sleep Knowledge