Getting enough sleep is a struggle for many. Sleep disorders, poor sleep hygiene, and unhealthy lifestyle choices can keep you from acquiring sufficient sleep, putting your well-being at risk. This can impact your emotions, memory, and information-processing abilities, as well as increase your risk of chronic conditions like heart disease.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to get more shuteye. Our post “What is the Most Relaxing Music to Help You Sleep?” shares that relaxing music can lower your heart rate and slow your breathing, inducing drowsiness. Classical and meditation music are great options; both are soothing enough to lull you to sleep.
A similar tip would be to listen to audiobooks. Instead of music and lyrics, you’ll be eased into sleeping with words and stories. If you want to find out how these can aid sleep, where to get them, and the best titles to start with, keep reading below:
How do audiobooks aid sleep?
Listening to audiobooks is like reading before bed. After all, these are simply narrations of written works. Healthline reports that this counts as reading, especially since it’s more accessible for people with vision impairments and limited reading skills. Moreover, audiobooks allow you to close and rest your eyes, helping you get into a sleepy disposition. You can also get comfortable while doing so, whereas reading a physical or e-book requires sitting up. Finally, listening to audiobooks can be relaxing, as many narrators have calming voices. You may even discover works that incorporate relaxing sound effects to tell a story, like soft rain.
Where to get audiobooks?
It’s straightforward to use and get audiobooks; you’ll only need a digital device—like your smartphone—to listen. You can also get them from various sources. That includes digital libraries, which are accessible online and offer a wide range of audiobooks. A subscription to Everand’s digital library lets you listen to audiobooks across different genres, including classics, romance, and history. You’ll discover works like Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee and The Summer House by Lauren K. Denton for an affordable, flat monthly fee, usually the price of one physical book.
Public libraries lend audiobooks, as well. This makes them very accessible, especially if you already have a library card. Many libraries provide such services through the library reading app Libby, which allows users to discover and enjoy digital books and media from public libraries with no late fees. Lastly, it lets you store all your digital loans on one bookshelf for easy access. Just make sure to use your library card to check out.
The best audiobooks to start with
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Stardust is a fantasy novel fit for adults written by Neil Gaiman, the brilliant mind behind Coraline and The Sandman. He won the 2023 St. Louis Literary Award for being a talented author adept at writing in various forms. This audiobook follows the young Tristran Thorn, who has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester and promises to bring her a fallen star to win her over. With an adventurous tale narrated by the soothing voice of Gaiman himself, you’ll surely enjoy picturing different scenes and characters that will hush you to sleep.
Midnight Meditations by Courtney E. Ackerman
With this audiobook, researcher Courtney E. Ackerman will help you discover how to calm your thoughts and get well-deserved and undisturbed sleep. The over 150 meditations available will guide you on how to relax and tap into the tranquility of the nighttime, so you’ll knock out before you even know it. What’s more, their instructions are easy to follow—best for people who don’t want to experience further stress at bedtime.
Mythos by Stephen Fry
Mythos is a retelling of ancient Greek myths. Seasoned narrator Stephen Fry uses his wit and humor to bring familiar tales to mind, entertaining your mind as you drift off. Some of his handpicked stories for the audiobook include the story of the Titans, the Olympian gods and their realm, and the Underworld. Mythos is the best to listen to if you want to immerse yourself in classic Greek myths as you close your eyes.
Listening to audiobooks can be the solution to getting more sleep. Consider trying it to see how well it’ll work for you.
For more articles about sleep, keep browsing through our other resources here at DawnStudy.
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