As I mentioned in my "Better Health - Better Mood" post ( see >>>1731045487 ), I've started a routine that’s been helping me get a deeper and more sound sleep, I've completely shut down my computer at least half an hour before I try to actually fall asleep. The goal is to wind down properly and spend time actually relaxing, and it’s made a noticeable difference in the quality of my sleep.

Instead of getting lost in mindless doomscrolling, I use this time to truly relax and prepare my mind for rest. A big part of that is listening to calming ambient sounds, and I’ve found a few easy ways to make it part of my nightly ritual.

One of the simplest methods is to put on a YouTube video with relaxing sounds like rain or gentle wind. Here’s an example I really like, such as this one.

Another great option is A Soft Murmur, which lets you mix your own custom soundscape using sliders for different ambient noises. You can use it right on their website, and they also have an app if you prefer.

Finally, there's MyNoise. It’s similar to A Soft Murmur, but with a MASSIVE library of ambient sounds to explore, from classic rain sounds to more imaginative options like fantasy forests and cinematic atmospheres. While some of the soundscapes are locked behind donations, there are plenty of free ones to enjoy for hours to end. This one is meant to be used for sleeping and for doing other stuff like as background noise for work, reading, writing or any other kind of activity.

These tools have really helped me unwind at the end of the day, and I hope they can be helpful for you too!