We all know being read to is super relaxing: it’s why parents read bedtime stories to their children, and why it’s so easy to nod off when you’re listening to an audiobook on the train. But according to a new study, listening to a relaxing story or podcast in bed not only has the power to help you switch off – it could help you to get a deeper sleep.

The study, published in the Journal Of Sleep Research, builds on previous evidence that found playing ‘relaxing words’ during the early stages of sleep helps to increase the amount of time someone spends in deep sleep. In the most recent study, the researchers set out to discover how this simple practise improved deep sleep by observing heartbeat activity.  

Using an ECG test, the study’s authors found that the time between heartbeats was longer when a sleeping person was played relaxing words, as opposed to a set of control words – those deemed to be neither relaxing nor stimulating. And it wasn’t just the sound of the words that had this effect: when the researchers played the relaxing words in reverse, the amount of time between heartbeats was smaller than when they were played forwards – a sign, the researchers say, that the “embodied processing” of the words directly leads to their positive impact. 

Ultimately, this shows how aware our bodies are of the world around us as we sleep – and how the ambient noise in and around our bedrooms can impact sleep quality. But listening to a bedtime story can also be beneficial even before you’ve nodded off.

“The benefits of listening to soothing bedtime stories and podcasts for sleep are multifaceted and deeply rooted in both physiological and psychological principles,” explains Max Kirsten, resident sleep expert at Panda London. “As you wind down for the night, the body’s physiological processes gradually shift towards a state of rest. Listening to soothing narratives or podcasts serves as a catalyst for relaxation, triggering the parasympathetic nervous system.

“By engaging with calming content, such as gentle storytelling or ambient sounds, individuals effectively lower their heart rate, reduce muscle tension and regulate breathing patterns – all essential components for entering a state of slumber.” 

Listening to these kinds of relaxing sounds can be particularly beneficial if you struggle with an overactive mind, Kirsten adds. We’ve all had those nights where your mind starts racing as soon as your head hits the pillow, and while giving yourself something else to focus on may seem counterintuitive, it can be a good guide for your brain to follow.

“Through auditory stimulation, bedtime stories divert attention away from intrusive cognitions, providing a focal point that encourages mental tranquillity,” Kirsten says. “The narrative structure of stories fosters a sense of continuity and predictability, which can be particularly reassuring in the vulnerable moments preceding sleep onset.”

“From a psychological standpoint, this engagement with familiar and comforting narratives triggers a cascade of positive emotions, evoking feelings of safety, security and contentment – all conducive to facilitating the transition into sleep.” 

So, while white noise is great for blocking out disruptive sounds and providing a soothing background for you to drift off to, listening to bedtime stories and podcasts could have the edge when it comes to improving your sleep altogether. Relaxing, non-threatening programmes like the shipping forecast can also be incredibly soothing.

Ultimately, you want to ensure your body and mind feel as safe and relaxed as possible – and what better way to do that than tuning in to a calming fairytale or a soothing adventure in the great outdoors? 

Images: Getty