Living with BPPV vertigo led me to explore how sound -- and deep relaxation -- can soothe, ground and heal.
We often take our hearing for granted. But sound is powerful -- and it can heal. Living with BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo), an inner-ear condition that brings episodes of dizziness, I've come to appreciate how deeply sound affects balance and wellbeing.
One of the biggest ways sound works its magic is by helping us relax. Harmonious sounds can slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones like cortisol. That's why sound baths and guided meditations are so effective -- and for me, that deep relaxation helps calm the internal chaos that can trigger a dizzy spell.
It goes deeper than relaxation. The part of the brain that processes sound is connected to areas that handle emotion, memory and how we perceive pain. When vertigo strikes, the disorientation is distressing -- and sound can be a powerful tool for grounding and centring. Listening carefully to the sounds around us can even support spatial awareness when visual cues feel unreliable.
We live in a world focused on what we can see. But taking a moment to really listen -- to music, to quiet, to a loved one's voice -- can open up a whole new world of wellbeing. What kinds of sound do you find most calming or energising?