10 Best Podcasts and Audio books to Fall Asleep to on Your Alaskan King Bed
As adults, we often struggle to unwind at the end of the day. Stress, racing thoughts, and endless to-do lists can make it hard to fall asleep when we finally get into bed.
But do you remember those nights when you were a kid, tucked in bed as someone read you a soothing bedtime story? That simple ritual helped lull you into a peaceful sleep every single time.
Now, as adults, we don’t always have someone to read to us, but audio books and podcasts can bring that comforting experience back. In fact, listening to a calming story or relaxing audio can help you unwind, clear your mind, and drift off to dreamland.
That’s why we’ve rounded up the best bedtime podcasts and audio books to give you that cozy, familiar feeling back. Because, sometimes, a good story is all it takes to fall asleep faster.
5 Best Podcasts for Bedtime
Unlike upbeat music or TV shows, podcasts don’t overstimulate your senses, which makes them ideal for relaxation. The best bedtime podcasts use soft tones, soothing stories, and gentle pacing to help quiet your mind and ease you into sleep.
When searching for a good bedtime podcast, look for a host with a calm, steady voice and topics that aren’t too engaging or intense. Avoid shows with sudden loud noises, ads, or fast-paced dialogue, as these can interrupt your relaxation.
Here are our top five picks:
1. Sleepy
Sleepy is a unique podcast that brings the comforting experience of classic literature into your bedtime routine. Each episode offers a reading from well-known works by authors like Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. But what really sets this podcast apart is the host’s gentle, slow-paced delivery.
The calm, steady tone creates a serene atmosphere that helps listeners settle down on your oversize mattress after a busy day. You won’t find sudden sounds, energetic discussions, or ads here, just the steady flow of beloved stories designed to quiet your mind.
The familiarity of the classics adds to the sense of comfort. This makes it easier to fall asleep without feeling like you’ll miss out if you don’t hear the entire story.
Each episode is like a cozy bedtime story for grown-ups that provides the ideal backdrop for a peaceful transition into sleep.
2. Nothing Much Happens: Bedtime Stories for Grown-ups
Nothing Much Happens is a podcast that helps listeners unwind with gentle, soothing stories that live up to the title: nothing much happens.
Each story is supposed to be calming and uneventful to put listeners into a calm state where they can let go of daily stresses.
The narrator’s voice is soft and steady, which makes it easy to follow along as the story drifts peacefully from one mundane moment to the next. The stories often revolve around everyday scenarios, like a quiet walk in nature or a cozy day spent at home, and the calming delivery eases listeners into relaxation without sparking too much curiosity or excitement.
Listeners often describe Nothing Much Happens as a comfort blanket in podcast form that helps you hit that deep stage of sleep. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts.
3. Get Sleepy
Get Sleepy combines storytelling with relaxation techniques to help you fall asleep faster. Each episode features a calming story or guided meditation that’s supposed to quiet your mind and prepare you for a restful night’s sleep.
The host’s soft and reassuring voice guides you through a peaceful narrative or a gentle breathing exercise to help you relax.
Some episodes take you on dreamy adventures through serene landscapes, while others focus on practical meditation techniques to let go of stress. This is perfect for people who like variety in their bedtime routine.
4. Dan Bain’s Sleepy Time Mumbles
Sleepy Time Mumbles is a different kind of bedtime podcast with a playful twist on the usual sleep story. Dan Bain, the host, delivers rambling monologues on random, mundane topics in a soft, mumbly voice to gently lull you into sleep.
Although Bain’s sleepy-time rambling is often funny, the calming tone and nonsensical tangents keep you from getting too absorbed. So, it’s easy to tune out and fall asleep.
The content is purposely uneventful, which allows listeners to find the most comfortable sleeping position and let their minds wander without needing to follow a cohesive narrative. That’s perfect for people who find solace in gentle background chatter that feels both cozy and humorous.
5. On a Dark, Cold Night
On a Dark, Cold Night blends the soothing rhythm of bedtime storytelling with a hint of dark, mysterious charm. In each episode, the host spins eerie but comforting tales, often weaving in elements of the supernatural with a calming tone that’s surprisingly sleep-inducing.
The podcast creates a cozy, almost haunting atmosphere that feels like sitting by a fireside on a chilly evening. That’s ideal for people who like a little intrigue in their evening routine.
The important thing is that the stories aren’t supposed to scare but to captivate and ease you into a dreamlike state with slow, deliberate pacing. Plus, the host’s soothing voice keeps the mood balanced between the curious and the calm.
5 Best Audio books for Bedtime
Like bedtime stories, audio books offer a gentle way to escape into another world. The best bedtime audio books combine soothing narration with calming stories that aren’t too intense. This combination helps you relax, forget your daily problems, and fall asleep.
The key is to look for audio books with a slower pace, a narrator with a calming voice, and content that isn’t overly stimulating. For example, the best choices are stories that focus on reflection, peaceful adventures, and familiar classics.
Here’s our list of favorite bedtime audio books:
1. “The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere” by Pico Iyer
In “The Art of Stillness,” Pico Iyer explores the power of slowing down by drawing on his own experiences and insights from various cultures. The narration is calm and thoughtful, which invites you to embrace a sense of calm as you prepare for sleep.
Iyer’s reflections on the value of simply being present provide a soothing escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The audio book’s slow pace and introspective tone encourage relaxation, which is perfect for busy parents trying to get more sleep.
This audio book is available on platforms like Audible and Google Play Books, so you can easily bring it into your bedtime routine and discover the joys of going nowhere.
2. “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” by Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami’s “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle” is a surreal journey that blends elements of mystery, dreams, and reflection. The story follows Toru Okada, a man who embarks on a strange and introspective journey through Tokyo as he searches for his missing wife.
With Murakami’s signature blend of the mundane and the fantastical, the novel draws you into a world that’s intriguing yet soothing. It’s a dreamlike atmosphere with a slow, mesmerizing pace.
The narration captures Murakami’s contemplative prose, which allows you to immerse yourself without feeling rushed or overstimulated. And the meandering story feels like a gentle drift through Toru’s surreal encounters.
3. “The Ocean at the End of the Lane” by Neil Gaiman
“The Ocean at the End of the Lane” is a whimsical yet haunting tale that draws listeners into a world of childhood memories, magic, and mystery.
Gaiman narrates a story that follows a man who returns to his hometown and recalls a long-forgotten adventure involving an extraordinary girl, a mystical pond, and a series of supernatural events. Gaiman’s voice is soothing, with a gentle rhythm that makes it easy to drift off.
This audio book is particularly suitable for bedtime because it’s nostalgic and almost dreamlike. The story combines elements of fantasy with the simple, comforting memories of childhood, which creates an atmosphere that feels enchanting and familiar.
This audio book is perfect for people who love to escape into a story that feels like a cozy, magical bedtime tale.
4. “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth von Arnim
“The Enchanted April” is a heartwarming tale of escape, rejuvenation, and friendship. The story follows four very different women who decide to rent a villa in the Italian countryside for a month-long retreat, leaving behind the dreariness of their everyday lives.
As they bask in the beauty of springtime Italy, they experience personal transformations, each finding solace and joy in their newfound surroundings.
The story unfolds slowly, focusing on the simple pleasures of life and the healing power of nature. It’s a feel-good listen that’s light on drama and full of tranquil descriptions of Italian gardens, charming villas, and peaceful moments of self-discovery.
The narrator’s soothing voice also enhances the story’s calming effect, which can help you wind down on your family-size mattress.
5. “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius
“Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius offers ancient wisdom with a calming tone that’s perfect for quiet reflection. Unlike the other audio books, this isn’t a story or a narrative but a collection of personal insights from the Roman Emperor himself.
Marcus Aurelius wrote this book as a personal journal, noting his reflections on resilience, gratitude, and finding peace within. It’s perfect for people who want something that feels grounding and introspective.
The narrator’s measured pace and gentle voice encourage you to take in the wisdom slowly. In addition, the book’s structure allows you to listen to it in small segments, which makes it easy to drift off at your own pace.
Remember, it’s not about following a plot but about exploring mindful concepts that can help calm your mind and prepare you for restful sleep.
Drift Off to Dreamland on Your Alaskan King Bed
Although podcasts and audio books can create the perfect atmosphere to unwind and fall asleep, there’s something else that plays an even bigger role in getting a restful night’s sleep –your bed.
And if you’re sharing your bed with a partner, kids, or pets, a family-size bed can improve your sleep.
The Alaskan King bed offers unmatched comfort and space for you and your family to relax without interruptions. We handcraft each mattress from high-quality materials following a design that provides optimal comfort and durability.
Don’t just settle for any bed. Choose the Alaskan King and enjoy unmatched comfort while drifting off to your favorite audio books and podcasts.
