ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Music and podcasts offer different benefits for sleep

BY SARAH MURPHY ASST. A&E EDITOR

Sometimes falling asleep seems impossible. You lie awake at night, staring at the dark ceiling, while endless thoughts race through your mind.

Luckily, there are sleep tactics that can help induce drowsiness. A popular choice is to listen to music or a podcast. But which is the better option?

Emma Totaro, junior creative writing major, struggled with falling asleep after the endless days of Zoom calls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inactivity during the day left her restless at night, so she turned to the podcasts featured on the “Calm” application.

“I listen to ‘Humphrey in Paris’ and ‘Humphrey in London’ a lot,” Totaro said. “It is about this cat, and he goes around these cities and tries to find the best place to sleep. Children’s stories like that help put me to sleep. I certainly find it relaxing to listen to people talk about mindless stu .”

The stress of homework and upcoming tests can fill us with worry, not to mention stress about paying o student loans or getting a job. These anxieties can occupy our minds when we settle down for the night,