New Zealand’s Sleep Radio plays ambient music to help you nod off

Some radio stations aim to entertain listeners, others share news and views.

But a new station based in a rural village in New Zealand has been set up with just one goal, to send its listeners to sleep – on purpose.

And if Sleep Radio’s glowing testimonials from across the globe are anything to go by, it’s a snoring success for the station, with listeners hailing it for having no commercials, ‘bad news or c*** commentaries’.

John Watson, above, has been winning praise from grateful listeners across the globe

Watson started the internet radio station after going through ¿the worst period in my health. In 2012 I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety,' he explained

Watson started the internet radio station after going through ‘the worst period in my health. In 2012 I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety,’ he explained

Sleep Radio is based in Te Aroha, otherwise known as 'the mountain of love', which is close to the setting of the Shire, used during filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in NZ

Sleep Radio is based in Te Aroha, otherwise known as ‘the mountain of love’, which is close to the setting of the Shire, used during filming of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in NZ

Such support is music to the ears of founder and manager John Watson, who set up Sleep Radio in the heart of the farming district of Te Aroha, about 88 miles (142km) south-east of Auckland in the North Island.

Sleep Radio’s tips to help you nod off

Make sure your bedding is clean, fresh and smelling sweet – you want your bed to look inviting

Sip camomile tea at least half an hour before bedtime

Stay away from coffee, tea, cola drinks or anything else that contains caffeine after lunch and up until bedtime

See your doctor if you have been unable to sleep well for any length of time that seems unnatural to you

Kale is full of sleep-inducing calcium, while oranges and almonds increase serotonin levels

Buy luxurious pillows, and do your best to make your bedroom a quiet place

Having sex is a great tension reliever for some people, and helps them to go to sleep straight afterwards

Te Aroha is a short drive from Matamata – otherwise known as the heart of Middle-earth and the bucolic setting for the Shire, home of the hobbits in the movie adaptations of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

Watson started the internet radio station after going through ‘the worst period in my health. In 2012 I was diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety which was brought on by so many factors I think I could fill a truck with them.

‘One of the many symptoms of depression is insomnia, or sleeplessness. I tried many ways of overcoming this and the “zombie-like” days that I suffered the day after but nothing seemed to help.’

Although he tried tuning in to radio stations that featured relaxation music, some had ‘all sorts of bizarre music and other weird stuff that… I’d often wake in the middle of the night with very frightening nightmares – brought on I’m sure by the strange music coming through my earbud while I lay sleeping.

‘On top of that was the annoying adverts and station announcements that were VERY distracting.’

So, tapping into his web development skills, as well as audio engineering as a former projectionist in the movie industry, and as a mobile DJ, he set up Sleep Radio.

Its aim is to provide ‘neutral and specially selected music that won’t infect people’s brains or influence thoughts,’ Watson explained.

‘We broadcast an uninterrupted, crystal clear, digital stereo stream with no advertising, no station DJs and no annoying announcers. 

‘You just get pure and soft ambient music 24/7,’ he added.

Its aim was to provide ¿neutral and specially selected music that won¿t infect people¿s brains or influence thoughts,¿ Watson explained

Its aim was to provide ‘neutral and specially selected music that won’t infect people’s brains or influence thoughts,’ Watson explained

Watson said that ‘almost all the music we play is sent to us by artists to get exposure to the market.’

Praise for the station includes a listener from Russia, who said the music ‘gives me energy and good mood for the whole day’, while a man from San Francisco, California, said: ‘Heaven must be like this.’

Grateful listeners have praised the station

Grateful listeners have praised the station

In Canada, a grateful mum ‘chose your music to calm my mind during the insomnia that began during my pregnancy. 

‘We brought speakers to the hospital and I also listened to your music during labour and the days after.

‘I love that there is no annoying interruptions and it’s reminding me of our trip to NZ, the feeling of wellbeing. Now it’s soothing my baby every day.’

The best way to listen to Sleep Radio is to download its free app for smartphone or tablet.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk