You probably have fond memories of your mum or dad reading a bedtime story to you when you were little, and how you would slowly drift away to sleep at their soothing words. But now you’re older there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy bedtime stories even as an adult, especially as they have been proven to help you feel calm when you're feeling stressed out.
Why do bedtime stories work for adults?
For exactly the same reasons as bedtime stories work for children!
According to a study by the University of Sussex, Cognitive Neuropsychologist, Dr David Lewis, found that reading worked best to reduce the stress levels of participants by 68 per cent. It worked more effectively to reduce stress than listening to music (61 per cent), drinking tea or coffee (54 per cent) and taking a walk (42 per cent).
The study also found that participants only had to read for six minutes before their stress levels began to decrease, so if you only get 10 minutes at the end of your day to have a read, a short read is all you need.
Whether you prefer to curl up and read or lay back and listen we’ve rounded up the best bedtime stories andbest audiobooks for grown ups.
So get comfy and get ready to unwind.
Bedtime stories to read
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A night time companion when you're feeling stressed, this book including calming stories and poems for a good night's sleep. There are classic stories by Oscar Wilde, Guy de Maupassant and Katherine Mansfield, to friendly tales of our childhoods, to poetry that reminds us of the simple joys of life. Review: "The poems and stories are just the right length to read before you nod off and they help to switch off over active minds."
In this wonderful anthology, author Ben Holden challenges how we think about life. He explores not only the science of sleep but also why we endlessly tell stories u2013 even to ourselves, as we dream. Combining storytelling with a treasure trove of timeless classics and contemporary gems, there are poems and short stories, fairy tales and fables, reveries and nocturnes u2013 from writers such as William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens to Roald Dahl, Nora Ephron and more. Review: "A collection of bedtime stories and poems from a wide range of authors and poets. Some of them are enough to put me to sleep which actually does the job. I am pleased with my purchase and would buy again."
Part storybook, part guide, in this book by Anna Lopez you will find proven techniques that you can use to revolutionise the way you handle stress, original short tales to keep your mind engaged until youu2019re ready for sleep and plenty of information to help you change the way you sleep.
This collection of 33 bedtime stories combines short guided meditations, poems, and fantastical stories with soothing themes and narration, helping you to slip into a deep sleep and alleviate anxiety. With relaxing ocean scenes, peaceful tropical islands, and beautiful stories featuring winter wonderlands and autumn dreams, this collection is sure to have something that everyone will enjoy. Review: "I've been reading those stories for my boyfriend before going to sleep. Nicely written Adult stories that sound like kids fairy tails."
Bedtime podcasts to listen to
Originating from the US, Sleep With Me is one of the longest running sleep podcasts around - and with good reason! In each episode, narrator Drew Ackerman picks a random topic (ranging from a virtual tour of Rome to the iron throne) and delivers an hour-long monologue. Sleep With Me is ideal for those of who struggle to switch off an active mind.
Somewhat of a mystery figure, narrator Miette will read to you in her distinctive style, ready to destress you with classic short fiction. The podcast has been going for nearly a decade and is much-loved by many.
Lay back and listen to host Otis Gray's warm and rich baritone as he reads chapters from classic books, novellas and poetry included the Wizard of Oz, The Secret Garden and even the Thesaurus.
Boring Books for Bedtime is a weekly bedtime story podcast for anyone who struggles with that endless brain chatter that keeps many of us up at night. In each episode, the host calmly and quietly reads something 'boring' such as Aristotle, Emerson and Galileo.
Related: The best sleep apps for a great night's rest in 2022
Bedtime story audiobooks to listen to
Add some magic to your rest time and improve your meditation practice as you take a journey into magical worlds like no other. These 15 stories will help guide you to a state of deep relaxation, helping you slip gently into sleep.
Consisting of 12 relaxing stories, this audiobook will help you to fall into a deep state of peace, ridding you of stress and muscular tension and preparing you to wake happier after a high-quality nights sleep.
Once you've found your new favourite book, don't forget a book holder so you can feel extra relaxed while you read. And if you're looking for another relaxing activity to get you settled before bed, colouring is another way to wind down while you listen to your book.
Bedtime story apps
Spray some sleep spray on your pillow and listen to your Calm app and you'll be asleep before you know it. Not only does this app offer plenty of relaxing meditation sessions and calming music to listen to, but there is also a huge library of sleep stories, read by a whole host of famous voices including Stephen Fry, Joanna Lumley and Matthew McConaughey, to name a few.
This app offers multiple ways to help you get to sleep depending on what relaxes you most. You can choose from calming bedtime stories, meditations or even soothing sounds that will play for hours until you naturally drift off.
Offering new content every week, this smart sleep app offers calming sounds as well as relaxing bedtime stories, suitable for the whole family. There is also a function to track your sleep patterns and learn how to sleep better.
Bedtime story YouTube videos to listen to
You might not expect a mystery to send you to sleep but the soothing tones of the narrator make this classic story well worth a listen.
Travel up the scenic coast of Norway aboard one of Europe's most breathtaking and remote railways in this sleep story read by Erik Braa for Calm.
A classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen, you'll be instantly transported back to your childhood with this gentle reading.
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