If you’re the type of person who falls asleep the minute their head hits the pillow, please know I envy you. Trying to switch off a busy mind before bed, when all the lights are out and the only sound you can hear is a faint buzz of traffic or that ticking clock, is difficult. For me, it’s near impossible. I’ve had countless sleepless nights caused by my inability to stop thinking and counting sheep rarely helps.
Sleep is essential to our overall health. One of the best antidotes to a loud mind is drowning it out. I have been listening to podcasts to fall asleep for years now. I usually go for whatever my flavour of the month is – usually the Receipts Podcast – but I want to make this sleeping technique more relaxing, mindful and purposeful. And, as I’m sure you know, there’s a podcast for everything, and these will provide the perfect listening when you need to sleep.
Sleep With Me
Sleep With Me was born out of host and creator Drew Ackerman’s childhood insomnia, which he remedied with late-night comedy shows. The podcast is a unique storytelling podcast, combining laughter, truth and calm. The podcast is over seven years old, so you won’t be stuck waiting for new episodes anytime soon.
Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People
Comedian Christ Gethard opens up his phone line (and platform) to one anonymous stranger a week for one hour. From striking confessions to philosophical musings, this one is a mixed bag (in the best way). Some stories are heartwarming, others are eye-opening and some are heartbreaking.
This is the type of podcast you can listen to any time, anywhere, but it’s perfect for sending you off to sleep when you’re feeling lonely.
Get Sleepy
Get Sleepy is a wonderful concoction of great writing, calming voices and perfect soundscapes. The production of this storytelling podcast is incredible. No one is too old for a bedtime story and this one is just as immersive as it is relaxing.
The Adam Buxton Podcast
Adam Buxton is a British Comedian. He’s been interviewing friends and celebrities on his podcast since 2015, so it’s not short of interesting listens. This is another day-or-night favourite, but Buxton’s calming voice is the perfect antidote to a sleepless night.
The Insomnia Podcast
This is the podcast for insomniacs, by insomniacs. It was designed to help people “relax and drift, listen and sleep.”
This 30-minute podcast combines calming music with mundane conversation. The point isn’t to become invested; it’s the opposite, in fact. The Insomnia Project was named best sleep podcast of 2020 by Tuck, so it’s well worth a listen.
Wireless Nights
Wireless Nights is UK musician – and lifelong insomniac – Jarvis’ Cocker answer to your sleepless nights. Produced by Radio 4, Wireless Nights explores the human condition in life after dark.
Miette’s Bedtime Story Podcast
Unlock the world’s best short fiction while drifting off to the sound of Miette’s soothing voice.
You’re almost guaranteed to drift off before the story is finished and, if not, there’s a back catalogue of 100 episodes to dig through.
Boring Books for Bedtime
Another of the Bedtime-Stories-For-Grown-Ups genre, Boring Books for Bedtime is a weekly bedtime story podcast “for the sleepless, the stressed, the anxious, the insomniacs–anyone who struggles with the endless brain chatter that keeps us up at night.”
Listen to passages from all the boring books – think Ancient Greek philosophy, astrology or instruction manuals – and feel your eyelids become heavy to the tune of calm and relaxation.
Stories from the Borders of Sleep
This is a semi-regular podcast made up of stories written and told by Seymour Jacklin inspired by his dreams – or time spent on the border of sleep. The podcast, which is creative and enticing, consists of episodes ranging from eight to 18 minutes long and aims to take the listener “on an imaginative and thought-provoking journey.”
Sleep Meditation Podcast
“You spend ⅓ of your life sleeping, so do it well,” reads the description for the Sleep Meditation Podcast. Consisting of ASMR sleep triggers and nature sounds, this podcast is designed to help you do just that. From heavy rainstorms to purring cats, you’ll be spoilt for choice when looking for the perfect sound to help you sleep.
The ASMR Podcast
Another sleepy ASMR favourite, this one is a collection of stimulating audio recordings by a variety of guests and experts. A current favourite is an eight-part reading of Sherlock Holmes, but with over 350 episodes, there’s sure to be something to suit you.
Nothing Much Happens
Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai takes your brain on a detour with her mesmerising storytelling. With the goal of disrupting any busy thought patterns, Nothing Much Happens is a collection of unassuming stories to help you sleep; told twice for good measure.
Sleep Whispers
Sleep Whispers is a podcast of whispered readings and ramblings for relaxation and sleeping. The stories, told in an ASMR fashion, are meant to be engaging enough, but not too much. Designed for those who can’t help get hooked on an enticing podcast right before bed, but whose minds won’t stop running without one.
Slow Radio
Slow Radio was created by BBC 3 as an antidote to the fast-paced world we live in today. “Listen to the sounds of birds, mountain climbing, monks chatting as you go about your day,” reads the description, hailing the podcast a “lo-fi celebration of pure sound.”
It’s more personal than a white noise machine, but it’s far from invasive and distracting, according to the New Yorker. This BBC masterpiece is well worth a listen as your head hits the pillow.
The New Yorker Fiction
Hosted by The New Yorker’s fiction editor, Deborah Treisman, this Fiction podcast is the perfect medicine for sleepless nights. Treisman, in her silky smooth voice, reads excerpts of famous pieces of fiction and follows this up with a discussion with a guest. Both interesting and calming, this one is perfect to read any place, any time. But especially at bedtime.
