12 Proven Stories That Will Make You Fall Asleep

Insomnia: a global plight, where peaceful slumbers are stolen by stress and impending tasks.

Add to that the digital lure of our smartphones—endlessly scrolling through social media or binge-watching that addictive series—and you’ve got a recipe for restless nights. But what if the age-old remedy of bedtime stories, once used to coax children into dreamland, could be your sleep savior? Indeed, immersing yourself in the right tale can be the perfect antidote to insomnia. So, before reaching for sleep aids, consider diving into enchanting tales crafted to calm the mind. Here’s a curated list of twelve stories, each promising to transport you to a tranquil state. Just thirty minutes with these narratives might be all you need to drift into a serene slumber. They’re the literary equivalent of a lullaby, gently guiding your mind to rest.

12 Proven Stories That Will Make You Fall Asleep:

1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

This classic novel by Louisa May Alcott has been adapted innumerable times for movies, television, audio stories, Broadway, and the opera. This age-old tale of the lives of the March sisters- Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy is truly timeless. You may remember reading the story in your childhood and relating to the four sisters in their struggles and moments of happiness. But it’s as good now as it was back then. Go back to this timeless classic every night, and a few pages of reading the beautifully written story can calm you to sleep. The simplicity and innocence of the lives of the sisters can make you forget the worries of the world.

2. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams

Here’s a classic children’s literature that remains a favorite even for adults to this day. Some stories stay as endearing as they were when you last read them as a child. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams is one such tale of innocence that never fails to touch you. Reading the story of a rabbit that becomes real through the true love of a boy is a great way to put yourself to sleep.

3. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Alice and her adventures never get old, no matter how gray your hair gets. You may have probably read the tales about Alice’s adventures by Lewis Carroll back in school. The classic book is as good for adults as it is for children and is one of the best stories to lull you to sleep. You’ll learn to appreciate the subtle satire on life, politics, and education through the bizarre yet delightful adventures of Alice. Lose yourself in the world of Alice the White Rabbit, the March Hare, and the Mad Hatter. Share the amazement of the dream world, written with an unmistakable simplicity and endearment. They take you to a world that lets you forget the daily troubles to prepare your mind for sleep. The book is available in paperback, audiobook, and Kindle formats to help you resort to your favorite storytelling style in bed.

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Undoubtedly, the best-known novel by Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, remains the most well-written novel in Victorian England. The slow romance blooming between the two main characters makes a fantastic bedtime story for adults. A few pages of reading this Victorian romance can get you to sleep well. The slow and poised writing and the wonderful depictions of the characters’ turmoil can help you momentarily leave your troubles behind. Forget your day’s schedules and delve into the world of Darcy, Elizabeth, and their old-world romance. The art of writing beautiful love letters in that bygone era may even take you on a journey to dreamland.

5. With the Beatles by Haruki Murakami

This amazing novel by Haruki Murakami traces a man’s life and how he discovers The Beatles while finding love or reaching significant points in life. It has a heartwarming feeling, and the touch of nostalgia hits the right note to rock you to sleep with good thoughts. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to time travel to the events in your life that may have coincided with the release of a song you were once obsessed with?

6. The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie

Paint your imagination with the colors of Florence and India. This dreamy book by Salman Rushdie is a fantastic tale to put you to sleep with colorful dreams and imagination surrounding the magical settings of the story. Reading the book at night takes you to these magical depictions of the landscapes with some note of mystery. The signature writing style of Rushdie adds to the charm of the tales that make you forget your stress in no time.

7. Falling in Love Again by Ruskin Bond

End your day with the beauty of love and romance, relaxing your senses and releasing your stress to get your mind to sleep like a baby. Ruskin Bond’s way with words never fails to take you to a world of beauty and charm. The lucid, innocent writing style and the simple plots of warmth, romance, passion, and joyous love are what we need in a world that rushes fast through the day. Slow down every night with a collection of beautiful short stories of love and longing by Ruskin Bond and lose yourself in a world of tender feelings that take you to sleep. These are some of the best stories that will make you fall asleep.

8. Bedtime Stories for Adults by Sylvia Leghorn

These meditative bedtime stories by Sylvia Leghorn can release your stress, concerns, and negative thoughts to lull you to the land of sleep at the end of a long day. Find solace and comfort in its pages. This collection of tales takes you to a state of peace and calmness and helps you find sound sleep every night. It reduces your daily quota of stress, worries, and fears, which often lead to insomnia. The author takes you on a journey to serenity and slumber every night as you sit back and read a few pages before you doze off and release the stress. Also available in the Kindle version.

9. Nothing Much Happens by Kathryn Nicolai

Kathryn Nicolai creates this wonderful collection of feel-good stories where nothing heart-racing happens, but you relax reading about the simple joys. The best part is that the book is also available in audio format. You can listen to the tales of Nicolai’s family heirlooms or the story of seeking lilacs from a farm blooming in spring. The narration soothes and relaxes your mind deeply to take you to sleep in no time as you try to visualize these idyllic scenes. Nothing Much Happens is a book that appeals to your senses. Take in these sweet moments spent in tranquility or soaked in the beauty of nature. The sensory experience helps your nerves meditate and rejuvenate with a deep sleep.

10. Sleep Stories for Adults

Sleepless nights can take a toll on your physical and mental health. Try Sleep Stories for Adults by Calm Therapy Center instead of toxic sedatives that make you drug dependent. The stories in the book are just the sleeping pills you need to doze off every night. Enjoy the refreshing feeling of good sleep each night by devoting some time and attention to these beautiful stories. Start playing the audiobook to dream and enjoy peaceful nights of rest happily.

11. Slumber FM

We are almost near the end of the list, and it would be wrong not to include this beautiful platform of sleeptime stories for adults. People have found it to be the most useful inclusion in their daily routine. The best collection of calming bedtime stories by therapeutic hypnotists induces sleep in no time. The beautiful illustrations that transport you to the land of dreams and imagination, along with the deeply calming narration, make the perfect recipe for sleep.

12. Sleepy Radio

Lastly, here’s another bedtime audiobook platform. Sleepy Radio introduces you to the best stories that will make you fall asleep. They narrate stories from classic literature in the traditional storytelling format. The beautiful readings of Sense & Sensibility, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Moby Dick, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, can gently rock anybody to sleep and help them wake up in a relaxed state of mind.

Wrap Up

Sleep is an important factor for our body and mind’s total being. You can stay alive longer without food than without sleep. Just four days without dozing off can lead to sleep deprivation psychosis and distort your perception of reality. So, better get those z’s. These great pieces of literature that we discussed here can help you get that much-needed snooze. You can always rely on these stories to do the trick. Next up, you may want to check various ways to relax your mind.