Nature Sound Retreat is a collection of music for relaxation and meditation. At first listen, the podcast seems to be a collection of innocuous music. However, the composer uses several techniques to help listeners reach a state of calm.
Music is most relaxing when its frequencies match those of the brain. Prolonged exposure to 528Hz sounds stimulates Alpha waves. Those are the waves people produce when in a restful, relaxed state. Asana Yoga practitioners know it as the "frequency of transformation" or miracle tone. They stimulate the Manipura Chakra, which sits at the solar plexus. Many of the songs in the podcast are at 432Hz. In a double-blind study, subjects who listened to music at this frequency reported several benefits. Those included lower blood pressure, slower heart rates, and increased focus. Nature Sound Retreat offers songs at both these frequencies with healing potential.
Nature Sound Retreat uses binaural beats. By playing two tones that are very close in frequency, they trick the brain into producing a third tone. In this way, music stimulates the production of brain waves that lower stress and anxiety. Binaural beats help the brain create Delta brain waves. Those are the waves that occur in times of deep relaxation and sleep.
Each podcast episode features nature sounds in the background of the soothing music. Sounds of birds chirping and water lapping are more than ambience. The human brain's fight-or-flight response lowers with exposure to these noises. In turn, this helps listeners relax and fall asleep.
Nature Sound Retreat also uses ASMR in its recordings. ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. It's a pleasant feeling for those who experience it, like scratching an itch in the brain. It also helps with relaxation and deep sleep.
Each episode of Nature Sound Retreat lasts from between one and four hours. There are a lot of types of music to choose from, including Celtic and harp melodies. The podcast might appeal to massage therapists and people who like to meditate.
Episodes