What Noises Cause The Most Stress?

Many of us are looking to reduce the amount of stress that we are experiencing.  So we try to reduce the number of things that cause us stress to try to lighten the stressful load.  Noise is a major source of stress, especially noises caused by other people.   Some of us cope well with a low level background noise like distant traffic or we might even opt to have the radio on.  Others like to listen to white noise to aid sleep, others like listening to bird song.  Sometimes noise impacts us in a more aggressive way and can really increase our stress levels.

New research reveals the impact that noise has on us, with almost nine in ten (87 percent) admitting that certain sounds send their stress levels soaring.

In fact, stress-triggering sounds cause Brits’ heart rates to spike an average of eight times a week, with nearly half (48 percent) agreeing that parts of modern life simply feel too loud and overwhelming.

And when it comes to the most annoying noise, hammering and banging top the list, with 46 percent of the 2,000 Brits polled citing it as their top irritation, closely followed by the yap of a small dog (46 percent), and the sound of drilling coming from next door (45 percent).

Other irritating noises testing the nation’s tolerance include noisy chewing (42 percent), snoring partners (30 percent), revving engines (19 percent), slurping tea or coffee (19 percent), car horns (17 percent), and high-pitched children’s toys (15 percent).

The research from Hive, found that building and renovation noises feature heavily in the list, and with home renovation season in full swing, the screech of an angle grinder (29 percent), roadworks outside (22 percent), dripping taps (19 percent), and squeaky hinges (18 percent) are pushing stress levels even higher.

One in three (31 percent) say people playing music or videos loudly on their phones drives them mad, while over a quarter (26 percent) say speakerphone conversations in public spike their stress.

It’s no wonder that many are actively looking for ways to reset with 70 percent saying they would be willing to listen to green or pink noise to unwind after a stressful day.

Commenting on the psychology behind noise sensitivity, Professor. Jamie Ward from the University of Sussex’s School of Psychology said: “Everyday sounds do more than just annoy us, they can elevate stress levels, interrupt focus, and even interfere with sleep.

“In some cases, they can also strain relationships.  However, different types of sounds may annoy us in different ways and some people have greater sound sensitivity than others.

“Sounds also have the power to stir positive emotions. Research shows we are biologically inclined to find natural sounds calming, while slowly building crescendos can trigger an intense positive sensation known as ‘the chills. With the right balance of tempo and tone, sound can be a powerful tool for wellbeing.”

“The slow tempo of Green Noise will promote relaxation. The slowly undulating changes in loudness create elements of mild tension and positive release.”

To help the nation tune out and take back control of their environment, leading eco-tech brand Hive has launched a mindfulness track, Green Noise, directly debunking the assumption (by 82 percent of the 2,000 Brits surveyed) that eco-tech is noisy.

Designed to soothe stress and promote calm, the track features the gentle hum of a heat pump, the whir of an EV and the soft click of a smart thermostat – proving that eco-tech can be as good for your headspace as it is for your home. In a world that feels increasingly noisy, Green Noise taps into the quiet comfort of sustainable technology to give Brits the power to find peace.

Susan Wells, Director of EV and Solar at Hive said: “Whether it’s the neighbour’s DIY, a barking dog or the constant hum of modern life, everyday noise is clearly driving many of us to distraction. That’s why we created our Green Noise track – a calming soundscape that blends ambient sounds with the gentle, soothing rhythms inspired by Hive’s eco-tech.

 With many people assuming eco-tech is noisy or disruptive, we wanted to create a track that challenges that misconception and encourages more people to consider making the switch. As well as quiet, Hive eco-tech offers you greater control over your home energy helping you to lower bills and carbon emissions. Smarter, greener living.”

On the flip side, 85 percent of Brits say there are certain sounds that help them relax. The most calming include birdsong (42 percent), rain on a tent (38 percent), waves crashing on the shore (37 percent), a waterfall (36 percent), the pitter-patter of rain on a window (30 percent), wind whistling through trees (29 percent), a trickling stream (27 percent), and gentle ambient sounds (26 percent).

UK’S TOP 25 MOST ANNOYING NOISES:

 

1. Hammering or banging from neighbours – 46%
2. The constant yap of a small dog – 46%
3. The sound of drilling coming from another property – 45%
4. Someone chewing loudly – 42%
5. A fly buzzing around the room – 38%
6. A car alarm going off in the middle of the night – 37%
7. Someone playing music/videos out loud on their phones – 31%
8. Your partner snoring – 30%
9. The screech of an angle grinder – 29%
10. Someone talking a phone in public on speakerphone – 26%
11. People shouting in the street – 23%
12. A knife or fork scraping a plate – 22%
13. A neighbour playing music loudly – 22%
14. Roadworks outside your house – 22%
15. Someone slamming a door – 21%
16. Someone breathing loudly – 19%
17. Motorbikes or cars revving their engines – 19%
18. A dripping tap – 19%
19. Someone with a cold constantly sniffing – 19%
20. A person slurping their tea/coffee – 19%
21. A squeaky hinge on a door – 18%
22. The slurping sound from a straw when someone gets to the end of their drink – 18%
23. Car horns – 17%
24. An annoying laugh – 17%
25. Someone sneezing in an exaggerated way – 17%