If you use music/podcasts as a sleep aid, what do you listen to?

[oddsandends]

I often wake in the early hours and need something to help me sleep.There are plenty of threads for baby sleep music, but I didn't see any for adults. I've tried soundtracks aimed as sleep aids, such as rain, white noise, relaxing musak, but end up lying there, relaxed in body, but mind active, thinking how awful they are. I've tried more general playlists like "peaceful piano" or gentle pop music but if I do start to drift off the changes in pace and pitch between the tunes can jolt me awake. If you have something that works reliably for you, what is it?

Audiobooks - I find David Mitchell’s voice very calming. His “Unruly” book is a good listen. Pratchett is a good one for me too. And Christie. Anything that I have already listened to so know the story well.

BBC sounds: the “a guide to coastal wildlife” is great. So are the ones on birds and garden wildlife. Gardeners’ Question Time is nice and relaxing too. Things that are interesting enough to listen to, but gentle enough so that you don’t feel you have to stay awake to get to the end.

Youtube: Ancient Greek music with cicadas in the background is brilliant.

I think of a topic then work through the alphabet thinking of words related to the topic. Eg countries, songs etc. The other day when I couldn't sleep I did my profession and got to about "h" before I dropped off. Only ever stayed awake until "z" once. It focuses my mind away from all the other stuff going on in my life and does help me.

Strangely, I can fall asleep to Danny Robins in about 15 minutes. I bought Into the Uncanny on Audible and it works just as fast.
I don't find the stories scary but his voice just child me out.
Sherlock and Co.
Complete Paulo Baldi.

That should read - I think of words starting with each letter of the alphabet, working my way through from a-z

I listen to “Sleep With Me” podcast on Apple, or Gordon Hempton’s soundscapes on Audible - my favourite is “North Atlantic”

The Sleeping Forecast on BBC Sounds. Its gentle music interspersed with the shipping forecast in dulcet tones.

I'd try ASMR on soundcloud.

Try Gibi or TingTing, I'm asleep in no time 🙂

I use audiobooks of familar stories (so that I don't try to keep awake to find out what happens)

Favourites are the Rivers of London series as the narrator has such a lovely voice, and the unabridged Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I second the Sleeping Forecast on BBC Sounds.

The Sleepy Bookshelf podcast - classic books being read in a soothing voice. I usually listen while playing a relaxing game on my phone and it gets me to sleep every time.

How are you all listening do you wear headphones or listen out loud?

I listen to Newscast (BBC sounds ) - people droning on and on about the day's news that I've already heard earlier. It doesn't matter when you drop off - you're not going to miss anything.

Can't listen to interesting documentaries or stories because the following day you have to try and find where you remembered getting to.

I have the Calm app and listen to sleep stories on there.

The Jeeves and Wooster books read by Ian Carmichael. Set timer for 20 mins.Sleep mask on.Bang-I’m off.

I've listened to things in a foreign language I don't understand. It's enough to enjoy as background noise but because I have no idea what they're talking about out I can't get drawn in and start concentrating!

Love this idea..I might subconsciously pick up another language. 😁

True crime
History
Paranormal
Myths and legends
The diary of a CEO
Sounds of rain and thunder
Sounds of the sea
I set a timer so it stops playing as 9 times out of 10 I fall asleep

This is Gold! Thanks for sharing 🙏

Very welcome! Enjoy ☺️

The countryside hour …its about happy things and their voices are lovely.

https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/6adcfc81-d4a7-4aa5-9848-bfb8af86102a/episodes/dd4d2190-675b-448d-a4ab-3d535849f545/SOUNDS-FOR-DEEP-SLEEP-WHITE-NOISE-AMBIENCE-NATURE-SOUNDSBROWN-NOISE-SOUND-MACHINE-FOR-SLEEP-OR-FOCUS?ref=dm_sh_HKD7GgjLV1GZQYh2Y34lJFeaV
This every single night - only the brown noise one

Get Sleepy on YouTube - Thomas has a very relaxing voice. These are sleep stories and I have yet to get to the end of one. I mainly use them in the middle of the night after waking.

I previously listened to Jason Stephenson (also YouTube). He also has an amazing voice. His podcasts range from guided meditations to affirmations, etc.

Agatha Christie stories outlook on a sleep timer. There's loads for free on Spotify.

https://www.nothingmuchhappens.com

I know someone who listens to cricket matches.
Even though they like cricket, it's guaranteed to send them off to sleep pretty quickly !