NatNews

Some people can fall asleep with consistent noise surrounding them, while others need dead silence.

There are different types of color noise, three of which are the most common—white noise (which is more of a static-like noise) includes sounds such as fans, air conditionings, and vacuums; pink noise (which is a constant ambient background noise that filters out distractions) includes sounds of steady rain, rustling wind, and waves crashing; brown noise (which is more of a rumbling noise) includes sounds like roaring jet engines, thunder, and a running washing machine.

While some research suggests that noise is beneficial to helping people fall and stay asleep, other studies contradict such notions. However, it’s also possible that the outcome is entirely contingent upon the individual.

Hawaii resident Tara Janke often uses a noise machine when she doesn’t feel like falling asleep to her comfort TV shows and on nights when she can’t quiet her brain and needs extra help. She said ocean noise is her go-to option and the only one she prefers.

“For me, the sound of the ocean is one of the most relaxing sounds,” she said. “Plus, something about the constant noise helps my brain power down, especially if I focus on the sound and rhythm.”

Dallas-area resident Kirsten Kraske said she turns on a box fan every night so that she simply has some constant white noise going.

“It helps my brain calm down,” she said. “I tend to overthink a lot, and hearing something other than that can be super helpful.”

Unlike Janke and Kraske, there are also individuals, including Dallas resident Damon Yousefy, who never use noise to help them fall asleep or sleep better through the night.

“I’m a light sleeper and prefer complete silence,” he said. “I have had trips where I’m close enough to hear the waves, and while that did not negatively affect my sleep, it also didn’t help.”

Yousefy acknowledged that his need for a noise-free environment at night is likely related to other areas of his life that require him to remain focused without distractions.

“I think I prefer complete silence when I sleep since I’m programmed to need silence for other things, like working, as well,” he said. “Any type of noise causes my mind to wander and not sleep.”

Sometimes different environments can also impact the quality and ease of one’s sleep. Yousefy said he travels quite often for work and generally has no issues falling asleep in hotel rooms, as long as he is in a quiet setting and has a sufficient amount of time to wind down.

“While I do not use any noise while sleeping, I listen to calming music while getting ready for bed, and that helps me relax and feel ready to rest,” he said. “Lo-fi music, jazz, or a chill alternative playlist tells my body it’s time to fall asleep soon.”

Kraske acknowledged that she does find it challenging to fall asleep and/or stay asleep when sleeping outside of her own bedroom, but she has found a solution that works for her in such situations.

“I downloaded a noise app on my phone for those reasons, and it’s greatly helped my life,” she said.

Like Kraske, Janke said she doesn’t sleep well in new places and noted that she thinks it’s likely that the different sleeping habits and inclinations of different individuals are related to their personalities and/or the way their brains and thought processes work.

“It’s probably why there are so many sleep studies,” she said.

Certain research has found that sleep quality and preferences can often be influenced by enduring patterns of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Kraske said she believes that the desire for noise or complete silence is related to the way a person’s brain functions.

“I think people who do tend to be overstimulated and overthink likely want that noise to help them focus on something else,” she said.

Like Kraske, Yousefy also cites the inner processes of the mind as impacts on how individuals best fall asleep and remain sleeping well through the night.

“I think the way people sleep is definitely related to how their brains work,” he said. “I also think that we develop habits when we are young and are less likely to break them later because that would be fixing what isn’t broken.”

Corals are animals, not plants.

People don’t always know what others are going through, and sometimes what seems like a small act can truly change a person’s life.

If you have ever been running, walking, or cycling at Dallas’ White Rock Lake on a busy weekend morning, you’ve likely seen and/or heard a man on a bike enthusiastically saying “Morning, morning!” to everyone he passes.

For the past seven years, Dallas resident Joe Chatham has been giving such greetings to countless individuals. He originally began doing so after returning from Colorado and a descent of Mount Evans (now called Mount Blue Sky). During that trek, Chatham said he began wondering about the purpose behind smiling and saying hello to others.

“I read about a man who jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge and stated that he would not have jumped if only someone had acknowledged him,” he said. “When I returned and started saying ‘morning, morning,’ it brought about refreshing smiles. Proverbs 11:25 says ‘whoever refreshes others will be refreshed,’ and that came into the conversation when people stopped me to ask why I say ‘morning, morning.’”

Chatham said what motivates him to keep greeting and acknowledging people and spreading positivity every day is living in a purpose-driven way.

“The great Justin Bieber has a song called ‘Purpose,’” he said. “You (God) have given me the best gift that I’ve ever known. You give me purpose every day.”

And while Chatham may not know every single person at the lake when he rides, it doesn’t take long for them to know who he is. Dallas resident Ben Sewell does not know Chatham personally but has been impacted by him simply as a result of Chatham’s well-known greeting. Sewell said Chatham serves as a great role model for how individuals should all be treating each other.

“His consistent positive energy when he’s out there riding (and his customary greeting) always makes me smile, sometimes before he even gets within hailing range,” he said. “No matter if I’m running or riding at the lake, mid-workout, or in recovery mode, he’s always a beacon of happiness that makes me forget my worries (if only for a short time), and I’m inspired to pay the kindness forward as he does.”

Sewell added that while he tries not to copy Chatham, as “there’s only one Joe,” he certainly appreciates the energy the beloved biker brings to the city.

“We all get wrapped up in our own worlds sometimes, and it’s people like him who make that conscious effort to put out a simple positive vibe by way of greeting that makes his presence (and White Rock Lake) truly enjoyable,” he said.

In addition to seeking to make people feel seen and acknowledged, Chatham, a retired Dallas police officer, leads a program called Empower Your Future, which helps underprivileged students, encouraging them to believe in and pursue their goals and to know that their dreams are attainable. Chatham said having children of his own and wanting to ensure that he never missed out on any events and activities in which they were involved prompted him to want to help provide support to others.

“I felt that many children did not have parental involvement like mine, and I had a desire to show them that someone out there somewhere cared,” he said. “The outcome I hope to achieve is for them to keep my equation in the back of their minds—it’s endurance + perseverance + education + refreshing others = no limitations. Then they will delay gratification, not quit, and know that there is always hope.”

One event in which Chatham and students participate each year is the Dallas Marathon. They post up between miles 15 and 16, provide smiles and waves to runners, and wear matching shirts with three names on the back to honor two friends Chatham lost to suicide and another who died in a car wreck. For Chatham, this is yet another opportunity to boost people’s spirits while showing kindness and encouragement.

“You never know what people are going through and who needs a smile and greeting,” he said.

After all, such simple gestures can have significant and lasting impacts. “Morning, morning!” might only be two words, but it can communicate much more, and Chatham hopes as many people as possible will receive his desired message: “A ‘Morning, morning!’ and a smile and wave can light your day.”

“Someone out there somewhere may need it,” he said.

And the light and positivity Chatham seeks to provide is certainly felt by others, including Sewell, who said he believes that Chatham is “exceptional” in creating an enjoyable environment.

“I believe that people are generally cordial or polite to one another, but it’s the rare few like him who go above and beyond to project outward friendliness,” he said. “Texas used to be a place where individuals like him were common, but times have changed, and you don’t see as much of it as you used to. We all need more ‘Morning, morning!’ in our lives.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

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Monday, June 22: Free Cult Classic Movie Monday — Fast Times at Ridgemont High at Sundown at Granada
Tuesday, June 23: Shakira at the American Airlines Center; Free Rooftop Movie — Bad Boys at Sundown at Granada
Wednesday, June 24: JINJER at House of Blues Dallas
Thursday, June 25: Party on the Pitch — USA vs. Türkiye at The Star; Candlelight — Mozart vs. Beethoven at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas; Jess Ray at the Kessler
Friday, June 26: Taylorville — A Tribute to Taylor Swift at the Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory; ABBA Tribute — Waterloo at Legacy Hall
Saturday, June 27: WRRC Saturday run from Taco Joint; Daniel Geneen at Dallas Comedy Club
Sunday, June 28: Dallas Wings vs. Minnesota Lynx at College Park Center; Family Field Day at Globe Life Field; Cycling Group Ride at Community Beer Co.