For many, working or relaxing in complete silence is simply impossible. In fact, without some type of ambient background noise, it might be hard for some to concentrate on the task at hand. Whether you’re studying for an upcoming test or simply taking an hour to relax, here are four websites that provide ambient background noise to accompany you:
I Miss My Library
Founded during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, I Miss My Library works to bring the quiet ambiance of your favorite library to wherever you are. This website provides users with a variety of ambient noises, such as rainy weather, turning pages, and keyboard typing, that can be made louder or softer depending on your preferences. There’s also a taskbar on the left side of the page that lets you build a to-do list and check off tasks as you complete them! Similar websites to this one include I Miss My Cafe, I Miss My Bar, and I Miss My Office.
Window Swap
Growing bored of the view outside of your window? Window Swap allows you to see the view out of someone else’s! By refreshing the page, you’re greeted with new scenery and sounds to enjoy. From the bustling streets of Mexico City to the serene rooftops of Rome, there is a seemingly endless number of windows to scroll through. If you make an account, you can also bookmark your favorite views and even upload your own! Some other special features, such as picking and choosing the location of your virtual window, may cost money. However, the website is otherwise free to use!
Lofi Cafe
Many people listen to lofi-music streams on YouTube while they work, but Lofi Cafe compiles all of these different streams in one place! This website lets you shuffle through thirteen different lofi streams at once, and by clicking the G-key on your keyboard, you can also change the background gif that loops as you listen. There is also a podomoro timer that can be accessed by clicking the clock icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
Lifeat.io
Lifeat.io describes itself as an “all-in-one workspace” that organizes over five hundred “virtual spaces” (scenic videos) into twenty-one different categories for users to scroll through. If you’re in the mood for an adventurous setting, they have a category for outer space and fantasy worlds like the Harry Potter Gryffindor common room or Camp Halfblood. If you’re looking for something more realistic, they also have dozens of videos of beaches, cafes, libraries, cityscapes, snowy landscapes, and more (my current favorite virtual space is this one!) There are also various study-with-me style videos compiled onto the platform, including those where you can work alongside your favorite anime characters or k-pop idols. On the top-right corner of the screen, there is also a pomodoro timer that can be adjusted according to your preferences. Similar to Window Swap, there are additional features on Lifeat.io (such as unlimited to-do lists and video-chatting abilities) that can be unlocked by paying a subscription fee.
Shreya Senthilkumar (she/her) is currently a high school student living in North Carolina. She is a staff writer for her school’s newspaper and a blog writer for a local music camp. This year, she plans to publish her writing for an international audience. When she is not writing, she can be found wandering around Barnes and Noble or managing her school’s calligraphy club. You can follow her on Twitter @http_shreya.