Lofi beats to sleep to

Soft lofi can be a gentle part of a bedtime routine. Here's how to set it up so it helps you wind down, plus Purrple Cat albums that suit the last hour of the day.

Why lofi for winding down

The hour before bed is when your mind tends to replay the day. Quiet background music gives it something gentle to rest on instead. Lofi beats are well suited to this: they're usually instrumental, relaxed in tempo and soft in tone, without the sudden changes in volume that can jolt you awake. This isn't a medical treatment, just a calm sound that many people find pleasant at night. If you have ongoing trouble sleeping, it's worth talking to a doctor.

Choose the calmest albums

For sleep, softer is better. Look for albums with a dreamy, floaty feel rather than punchy drums. Some Purrple Cat sets that fit:

• Sleep Tight, an album with bedtime right in its name.
• Sweet Dreams: "Enjoy the good vibes for sweet dreams."
• Sea of Stars: "Drift off into space on a sea of stardust."
• Night Train, for starlit late-night listening.
• Sleepy Eyes, a single for the last few minutes.

There are more in the sleep section on the home page. Save the brighter, bouncier albums for daytime.

Use a sleep timer

Music that plays all night can wake you up later, especially when one track ends and another begins. Most phones and music apps have a sleep timer: Spotify includes one in its player, and phones have a timer that can stop playback. Set it for 30 to 60 minutes, which is about one or two albums, so the music fades out once you're asleep.

Keep it quiet

Set the volume as low as you can comfortably hear it. At bedtime, music should blend into the room, not fill it. If you share a room, a small speaker on low near your bed, or soft earbuds, keeps things peaceful for everyone. If you use headphones, low volume matters even more over a whole night.

Put the screen away

Scrolling for the next track keeps your eyes and brain busy. Pick your album before you get into bed, start it, and put the phone face down or across the room. Audio-only listening on Spotify, or downloaded files, also avoids bright video thumbnails and autoplay suggestions. You can download some Purrple Cat albums free from itch.io or the Internet Archive, or buy them on Bandcamp, and play them offline with no interruptions.

Make it part of a routine

Music works best as one step in a consistent wind-down routine. A simple version:

1. Dim the lights a little before bed.
2. Start your bedtime album and set a sleep timer.
3. Do something calm away from screens, like reading a book, stretching or writing tomorrow's to-do list so it's off your mind.
4. Get into bed and let the album play out.

Using the same album most nights can become a cue that it's time to rest. Many people find that familiar music is easier to relax to than something new, because there's nothing to pay attention to.

Pair it with cozy sounds

If you like rain or ambient sounds at night, a rainy-feeling album can bring a similar mood. Try the rainy day picks on the home page, like House in the Woods. Keep any extra sound sources quiet so nothing competes.

Daytime naps

For a short afternoon rest, a single album is about the right length for a quick nap. The Oasis album describes itself as "the purrfect spot for a cat nap." Set an alarm so a nap doesn't turn into a long sleep that throws off your night.