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Noise Pollution
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What is the definition of noise pollution?
When sound is unwanted, and affects the health and well-being of people or other living creatures, it meets the definition of noise pollution.
Is noise pollution dangerous?
The EPA confirms that it’s not just an annoyance, but is as important to your health as other types of pollution are, like air or water pollution. Excess noise, especially at night, can actually contribute to heart attack, and have negative impacts on cardiovascular health, including high blood pressure. This is because when you experience relative quiet, then hear a sudden noise like a plane, it causes a small spike in cortisol, your stress hormone. This happens automatically, and even while you’re sleeping.
How quiet should my bedroom be?
To avoid negative health effects, your bedroom shouldn’t be any louder than 30 decibels at night, according to the World Health Organization, which has studied the negative health impacts of noise pollution.
That’s about the same level of noise as rustling leaves, but if you want to measure, you can easily download a noise meter app, or use an air quality monitor in the bedroom that includes continuous noise level tracking.
Good sleep is important for every aspect of our health, so a quiet bedroom feels like a no-brainer. Plus, silence encourages new neuron growth in the brain.
How can I make my bedroom quieter?
Solid wood doors, triple-paned windows, sound-blocking window inserts, and noise-dampening curtains can all help.
Another obvious source of noise that can raise your blood pressure and heart rate is the dreaded alarm clock.
Waking up gradually on your own is obviously ideal, but an alarm clock designed with gradual light or music can also be a good alternative. Plus, waking up to a melodic noise, rather than a harsh beep, has been shown to make you feel less groggy throughout the morning.
