Nothing can beat the soothing hum of indoor wind chimes in helping relax frayed nerves after a stressful day. Imagine sitting or lying down on your favorite couch and listening to their calming sound. Feel the tension leave your body and be energized by the refreshing tones made by these chimes.

The ability of wind chimes to create relaxing sounds depends on their composition. Chimes that are shaped like a tube produce the most soothing and pleasing sounds. Others that are made up of solid pieces hanging from nylon threads or small chains generally create a less appealing sound.

What causes this difference? The pleasing sound created in some chimes is created in an "interior space," usually a tube-shaped chamber. Here, sound is multiplied by the vibrations inside the tube. These vibrations make the sound fuller and more soothing. The sound cannot be multiplied without this interior space. So while chimes made up of two hanging pieces of metal could produce sound, the effect isn't the same. This is why the typical tube-shaped wind chimes are the most popular types.

Some modern chime makers have produced finer and more technically advanced versions of indoor chimes. There are some with tubes playing specific types of notes, representing various types of music from different cultures. From Japanese Zen music to the Greek pentatonic scales, there is now a wider array of wind chimes to liven up your home. They can also be placed outdoors and can be used to decorate your lawn, garden, or pond. Designs range from unique fish chimes that give off a gentle sound when hit by the wind, to chimes that have crystals shaped like birds and unicorns.

To calm harried bodies and tired minds, take your pick from various indoor wind chimes. Your mind and body will surely be recharged and ready to face new challenges.