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Khomsun Suthon
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Thailand-based Khomsun Suthon is the director of Siam Music Group, a researcher of music therapy at Chulalongkorn University, and marketing communication manager at True Music Radio. He has also published a book Siam Songs about local music instruments and songs in Thailand and produced a radio program Sanook kub kan vijai, which features the latest fun news about music research and is broadcast on Chula Radio.
Khun Khomsun has previously worked as a creative marketer, program manager and/or producer with several major radio companies in Thailand, including Media Plus Co., Greet FM, People FM and Broadcasting Network Thailand Co. Ltd. As creative group head for BNT, he produced concerts featuring popular artists such Santana and The Eagles. Khun Khomsun holds a Bachelor of Education with a major in music from Chulalongkorn University. |
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Music has been composed and performed throughout the centuries as entertainment, for personal pleasure, in education, and for religious and ceremonial purposes. You may not realize, however, that music also has important benefits for the quality of your sleep.
Unlike a composer who creates music for pleasure, a medically trained and qualified music therapist applies music to influence or treat a patient’s mental or physical health issue.
In music therapy, the practitioner combines sounds to address specific health needs that include both emotional conditions such as autism, as well as some physical conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
Music for bedtime relaxation and insomnia
There are two levels of music-therapy for enhancing sleep.
Anyone can try using music for relaxation and to help improve your mood and ready yourself for sleep. Certain genres of music – such as jazz, pop, classical or instrumental – are known to relieve stress, calm nerves, or rebalance your frame of mind.
This is ideal for people with minor sleep issues, including the elderly.
However, people with the more serious problem of insomnia can be prescribed a specially designed music-therapy program. A qualified music-therapist will start by analyzing your personal history, education and work background, any physical illnesses, and other problems, in order to plan a program of treatment.
5 tips to lull you to sleep
If you want to get more out of your sleeping hours, you can try these five music therapy tips at home:
- Before going to bed, play a favorite song. Songs or music that make you happy will help you go to sleep easier.
- Try to listen to gentle jazz, pop, classical or instrumental. These types of music have been proven to provide positive effects to the brain, mental health, and impact on better sleep. Try to choose a song with a slower beat than your heart rate. This will calm and relax you. (The average heart rate for adult is 70 beats per minute.)
- Instrumentals that are mixed with natural sounds or sound effects help relaxation, transporting your mind to a quiet place. An example of this music is New Age, which is a combination of sound effects and music. This music is most commonly used during your yoga class or in the spa during your massage.
- Sounds found everyday in nature such as a crashing wave, a waterfall, a rain shower, or wind traveling through a forest are repetitive and relaxing. Try to go to the beach or into a national park more often, listen to the sound of nature, and you will find you will fall asleep more easily and more deeply.
- Musica Humana is a music term referring to the sound of your soul. It can be heard though meditation. It helps you slow your breathing and your heartbeat. Your will find yourself stress free and able to achieve a better night’s sleep.
Need help?
If you have a comfortable bed and supportive pillow, are able to make your room dark and quiet, but still find it difficult to fall and stay asleep, the Abhaibhubeat Hospital in Prajenburi, Chula Suwangniwach Hospital in Samut Prakarn, or Srithanya Hospital in Bangkok all have a special sleep unit that provide music therapy.
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