Lullie

Background & Significance

The Problem

Mental health issues among young adults often lead to sleep disorders, particularly insomnia. Traditional treatments may not always resonate with this demographic, creating a need for innovative solutions.

Existing Solutions

	Calm	Headspace	Pzizz
Features	Sleep stories, guided meditations, relaxing music, and breathing exercises.	Sleepcasts, meditation sessions, relaxing music, and mindfulness exercises.	AI-generated sleep sounds, dreamscapes, and guided sleep meditations.
Strengths	Well-known brand, high-quality content, celebrity-narrated sleep stories.	Scientifically-backed techniques, structured courses, user-friendly interface.	Uses science-based soundscapes to enhance sleep, personalization available.
Weaknesses	Requires a paid subscription for full access, some users find the interface overwhelming.	Limited free content, some users prefer more music-based options rather than spoken meditation.	Less mainstream than Calm and Headspace, requires premium access for full customization.

Gap Analysis

01

Current Landscape

Despite the availability of treatments like medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, and sleep apps, many existing solutions fail to effectively support young adults dealing with insomnia caused by mental health challenges. Current tools often suffer from low user adherence, lack of integration with mental health support, and require costly subscriptions for full access.

02

Research Insights

Academic research has demonstrated that consistent music therapy can significantly improve sleep quality. However, leading apps like Calm, Headspace, and Pzizz often place essential features behind paywalls, limiting accessibility and long-term engagement.

03

Our Solution

Lullie addresses this gap by offering a free, adaptive, and user-friendly music therapy experience. Our app not only tailors playlists based on individual sleep patterns and mental health needs, but also encourages regular use through an intuitive design and open access. Lullie transforms music therapy into a sustainable and inclusive tool for improving sleep without the financial barriers.

Research & Analysis

Our music therapy app is grounded in academic research that demonstrates the effectiveness of music in improving sleep and mental health. Studies show music can enhance sleep quality, reduce anxiety, and support emotional regulation—especially among young adults and college students (Wang et al., 2014; Loewy, 2020; Yan et al., 2024). We've drawn on multiple sources, reviews, and trials to design a solution that is both evidence-based and user-centered.

References

Gassner, L., Geretsegger, M., & Mayer-Ferbas, J. (2021). Effectiveness of music therapy for autism spectrum disorder, dementia, depression, insomnia, and schizophrenia: Update of systematic reviews. European Journal of Public Health, 32(1), 27-34.

Loewy J. (2020). Music Therapy as a Potential Intervention for Sleep Improvement. Nature and science of sleep, 12, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.2147/NSS.S194938

Tang, Y. W., Teoh, S. L., Yeo, J. H. H., Ngim, C. F., Lai, N. M., Durrant, S. J., & Lee, S. W. H. (2022). Music-based intervention for improving sleep quality of adults without sleep disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 20(2), 241-259.

Wang, C. F., Sun, Y. L., & Zang, H. X. (2014). Music therapy improves sleep quality in acute and chronic sleep disorders: A meta-analysis of 10 randomized studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 51(1), 51-62.

Yan, D., Wu, Y., Luo, R., & Yang, J. (2024). Bedtime music therapy for college students with insomnia: a randomized assessor-blinded controlled trial. Sleep Medicine, 121, 326–335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2024.07.018

Yasugaki, S., Okamura, H., Kaneko, A., & Hayashi, Y. (2023). Bidirectional relationship between sleep and depression. Neuroscience research, S0168-0102(23)00087-1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neures.2023.04.006

Chellappa, S. L., & Aeschbach, D. (2022). Sleep and anxiety: From mechanisms to interventions. Sleep medicine reviews, 61, 101583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101583

Our survey of young adults revealed key patterns in sleep habits and music preferences, helping shape Lullie's core features.

Sleep Difficulty Frequency

Music Usage for Sleep

Average Sleep Duration

User Insights

Through surveys and interviews, we uncovered rich insights into our users' sleep habits, mental health connections, and expectations from a sleep therapy app. These findings shaped the core experience of Lullie.

Mental Health & Sleep Are Deeply Connected

Users strongly affirmed the link between mental health and sleep quality. High stress, anxiety, and emotional states were commonly reported as major factors affecting their ability to fall asleep.

"I think it's important since if you feel sad then you'll just think about what's making you feel sad which can ruin your sleep."

"My mental health influences my sleep during periods of high stress and anxiety."

"When I don't get enough sleep I experience a bit of annoyance and anger."

Music as a Trusted Sleep Aid

Many users already use or are open to using music for sleep. Familiarity with platforms like Spotify was common, but users expressed a desire for more personalized and soothing content.

"I like that it [sleep music] matches the vibe. It's super soothing which helps with trying to sleep."

"Finding the right music can be difficult at times."

Desire for Scientifically-Backed Solutions

Users voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of generic apps and stressed the importance of credible, research-backed features.

"There's a lot of conflicting information, which makes it hard to pick an app that's compatible with me."

"Good reviews and doctor-appointed information would make me trust a sleep app."

Need for Simplicity & Accessibility

When preparing for sleep, users want zero friction. Ease of use, minimal distractions, and customization were consistently highlighted as must-haves.

"Ease of use and accessibility are pretty important... you don't want to deal with any hassle."

"An ideal app would have a set time for the music to play... it should automatically play or shut off."

Interview Deep Dive

Our interviews revealed additional themes that reinforced survey results:

Users prefer nature sounds and Lo-Fi as calming music genres.
Many are interested in music therapy but are discouraged by paywalls and limited control.
Users crave features like long playlists, sleep timers, and custom music options.

These insights highlight the gap between user needs and current app offerings — reinforcing our goal of designing Lullie as a free, intuitive, and science-informed music therapy app that adapts to individual sleep journeys.