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There’s always a common misconception or notion that bedtime stories are meant for kids only. However, contrary to this belief, bedtime stories can also be useful for adults. It offers an opportunity to disconnect from the world, thus reducing stress and anxiety. If you’re an adult who’s just looking for a quick relief, look no further. Here are some short adult bedtime stories to fall asleep to.
Benefits of Reading Adult Bedtime Stories
Beyond the nostalgia, it is said that bedtime stories can also act as a form of distraction to help you get your mind off the anxious thoughts or whatever is causing you to feel emotionally distressed [1].
Taking your mind off your worries can help to bring your body’s cortisol and adrenaline levels down, making it easier for you to relax and transition to sleep.
Reading bedtime stories can also be a fun way for you to explore your imagination and creativity as you get to explore new worlds and ideas within your dreams.
How To Choose The Right Bedtime Story for Relaxation
If you are looking for a perfect bedtime story to listen to and relax to but are unsure of what to go for, here are some tips or considerations that you want to have in mind:
- It’s best to look for stories that are calming with gentle imagery and language.
- Choose stories that you have read before and enjoy.
- Consider selecting stories that are specifically meant for adults or ones that deal with complex subjects.
- If you don’t like to read, you may want to consider bedtime stories that come in an audio format for listening.
Alternatively, you may consider using the ShutEye® app for a wide selection of bedtime story audios to choose from. Listen to classic fairytales, mysteries or exciting adventures. Try it today for free!
Popular Adult Bedtime Stories: 6 Recommendations
1. The Happy Prince
Author: Oscar Wilde
First published in 1888, The Happy Prince tells the story of a prince that overlooks the city. The prince is of a wealthy status as he can be seen dressed in gold and precious jewels. Because of his wealth, he has always lived a rather sheltered life, unaware of the poverty in the city. After dying as a statue, he finally sees the poverty and misery in the city. From there, he tries to help the poor by giving away his riches. Upon reaching heaven, God grants the Happy Prince eternal happiness.
2. To Build a Fire
Author: Jack London
Published in 1902, this story is about how a man sets out in the Freezing Yukon wilderness with his husky. Despite receiving warnings about the dangers of traveling in such extreme cold, he remains determined to set out and survive the harshness of the weather.
However, as he begins his journey, he soon starts to freeze. Thus, he decided to build a fire to warm himself up, only to put it out by accident. He eventually succumbs to the cold, regretting that he had not listened to warnings.
3. The Velveteen Rabbit
Author: Margery Williams
The Velveteen Rabbit is a story that was written by Margery Williams in 1922. It tells the tale of a stuffed rabbit who dreams of becoming real. Initially, he was overlooked by the little boy that had him, choosing other toys over him. The rabbit learns that in order for toys to become real, they need to be truly loved. When the boy fell ill, the doctor ordered the stuffed rabbit to be thrown out to prevent any infection.
Heartbroken by this, the rabbit sheds a real tear. This prompted a magical fairy to appear, transforming him into a real, living rabbit.
4. Rip Van Winkle
Author: Washington Irving
Rip Van Winkle is a story about a kind but lazy man who escapes his wife by wandering into the mountains. In the mountains, he meets a few strange men drinking and playing a game silently. As he drank their liquor, he soon fell into a deep sleep. However, the moment he woke up, he realized that everything had changed and that he had fallen asleep for 20 years. In that time, his village had changed and his wife and friends had long passed away.
5. The Tell-Tale Heart
Author: Edgar Allan Poe
The Tell-Tale Heart is about an unreliable narrator who repeatedly insists on the fact that he is not insane. However, he soon becomes obsessed with an old man’s vulture eye and decides that he is going to kill him. For many nights, he snuck himself into the old man’s room, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When he had finally found the perfect opportunity to kill him, he dismembered the body, hiding it under the floorboards.
However, he eventually confessed to the crime when his guilt and paranoia had gotten the best of him. This is a story that explores the idea of guilt, paranoia, and how powerful the mind can be at times.
6. The Gift of the Magi
Author: O. Henry
The Gift of the Magi follows the story of Della and Jim, a poor but loving couple, who were looking to buy each other gifts for Christmas. As Della was looking for a gift to buy for Jim, she chanced upon a gold chain that could be used for Jim’s pocket watch. However, knowing that finances were tight, Della decided to sell her long, beautiful hair to obtain money for it.
Meanwhile, Jim had a similar idea in mind. He came across an expensive comb that Della could use to comb her hair. He decided to sell his watch to purchase it. Upon exchanging gifts, they realized that they both made sacrifices in the name of love.
Other Tips to Destress and Sleep Well at Night
Aside from reading bedtime stories, some other simple tips to destress and focus on getting better sleep at night include practicing good sleep hygiene.
This may look like:
- Creating a sleep-conducive environment. Ensure that your room is dark, cool, and quiet for greater comfort at night.
- Avoid using electronic devices before going to bed as the light could interfere with melatonin production. Thus, disrupting your ability to fall asleep.
- Creating a relaxing bedtime routine which may include meditating, doing light stretches, listening to calming music, or taking a warm bath.
Conclusion
All in all, listening to or reading bedtime stories can be a great way for adults to reduce their stress for better sleep at night. Bedtime stories help to distract your mind from stressful thoughts and unwind for bedtime.
Why not give it a try by using the ShutEye® app? ShutEye® not only helps you to track your sleep but the app also offers a wide collection of relaxing bedtime stories, soothing music, and guided meditations to listen to. Try for FREE!
