The 10 Best Podcasts to Help You Fall Asleep Fast

One of the biggest trends in the world of podcasts comes in the form of health and wellness; according to Spotify, the genre increased 145 percent in 2019 alone. With meditation and self care trending all over the place, sleep podcasts are also on the rise (because getting sleep is one of the best things you can do for your body). Science continues to stress the importance of sleep—not enough of it increases our chance of illness, diseases and even a reduction in productivity—so finding ways to help your body get the rest it needs should be a priority (and not just for the new decade).

If you’re having trouble drifting off into a restful night’s sleep, we’ve rounded up some of the best sleep podcasts—some story-driven and others heavy on music—to help you care for your body and mind.

10 Best Sleep Podcasts

Sleepy
sleepyradio.com

One of the top podcasts of 2019 on Spotify, Sleepy is hosted by Otis Gray, a podcast producer who reads old stories with the intent that his smooth voice will help put you to sleep. A 2009 study by the University of Sussex found that just six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 68 percent, so next time you’re having trouble winding down to sleep let Gray read to you—there’s a good chance you’ll feel your body relax and quickly drift off to slumber. 

Related: Listen Up! These Motivational Podcasts Will Transform Your Morning Commute

Sleep with Me
sleepwithmepodcast.com

If you’re looking for a podcast narrator to tell you stories you’ve probably never heard before, Sleep with Me is what you need. Hosted by Drew Ackerman, this sleep podcast features stories inspired by his childhood, television reviews and more, all intended to help you catch some ZZZ’s (and help you feel less alone at night).

Sleep Whispers
sleepwhispers.com

People who prefer to keep things nice and quiet in their space—yet need some extra help getting to sleep—will love Sleep Whispers. The podcast is hosted by “Harris” (which is the middle name of host Craig Richard, who revealed his name in Episode 132) who spends each episode whispering stores, poems, Wikipedia pages, ramblings and more into the microphone to help you relax. The podcast has amassed so many fans it even has merch, so you can snuggle up in a Sleep Whispers t-shirt while you listen.

Sleep Meditation Podcast
sleepmeditationpodcast.com

The Sleep Meditation Podcast team is in the process of launching their own app, but in the meantime, you can still catch this popular sleep podcast on most of the popular podcast services. Featuring ambient music, noises and even listener-requested sounds, it is here you’ll find the soothing sounds of thunderstorms, oscillating fans, ocean waves and more to help you drift off to sleep. Have a specific sound you’d like to fall asleep to? Register for their Waitlist and let them know. 

Related: These 100 Benefits of Mindfulness Will Convince You to Try It Once and For All

Miette’s Bedtime Story Podcast
miettecast.com

Not much is known personally about the host of this podcast, however Miette (which is a French name) uses her European accent to bring stories to life–and lull you to sleep. While a majority of the stories read are by James Joyce, you’ll find plenty of other short stories (and even a guest narrator or two). While Miette’s voice is much more lively than many of the other sleep podcasts hosts who prefer to keep things to more of a drone, you just may find you prefer her inflections and intonations as you drift off to sleep.

Snoozecast
snoozecast.com

If you want someone to read to you as you fall asleep but are looking for a wider range of genre options, Snoozecast is the podcast you’re looking for. Choose from a range of stories in genres such as Children, Non-Fiction and Poetry and enjoy having greater control over what stories you’re hearing before bed. Episodes are released three times per week and last roughly 25 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about it playing all night and waking you from the restful sleep you’re (ideally) in. 

The ASMR Podcast
theasmrpodcast.com

Within the past few years we’ve heard more and more about autonomous sensory meridian response, most often referred to as ASMR. This response is described as a tingling—and wave of relaxation—that one feels when listening to specific sounds or even watching certain videos (Dr. Pimple Popper, for example). While it may seem a bit out there, one study has confirmed the calming physiological responses to ASMR, which includes a decreased heart rate. If you want to see if ASMR is right for you, The ASMR Podcast is the perfect place to start, with different whispers and themed episodes created to give you the shivers (in a good way).

Ambient Soundbath Podcast
ambientsoundbath.com

Produced by Matt Borghi, the Ambient Soundbath Podcast is great for fans of bands with big, sweeping sounds such as Sigur Ros, Explosions in the Sky and VAST. These chill and ambient sounds will help calm your mind and provide the perfect soundtrack to a solid night of sleep. With an array of artists featured, you’re bound to find the perfect track to help rest your body and mind. 

Related: Can a Sound Bath Banish Your Inner Demons?

Meditation Minis
art19.com/shows/meditation-minis

Meditation has been found to serve as a beneficial therapy for insomnia, but with so many meditation podcasts out there, where is the best place to start? Meditation Minis is one of the top ranked; hosted by a hypnotherapist, you’ll find short, guided meditations to help you refocus your mind. A variety of meditation techniques are explored, meaning you can try different episodes to find the strategies that work best for you and help you get some much-needed rest.

Vibrational Tonic Sleep Sounds
vibrationaltonic.podomatic.com

For those that are still trying to find the perfect mix of sounds to bring on sleep, the Vibrational Tonic Sleep Sounds podcast is a must-try. Part nature sounds and part music, ambient noises and beats are often combined in episodes to help your rushing thoughts go still and make sleep come quickly. Even better, some of these episodes are quite lengthy (nine hours or so) so you can listen to them all night long.

Check out our favorite mental health podcasts.