6 Best Bedtime Stories For Adults

Once upon a time, bedtime stories were just to send children off to sleep. But now times have changed. Today, bedtime stories for adults are more popular than ever, and they are proving to help with stress, insomnia, and overall mood. 

But what exactly are bedtime stories for adults? How did they start? Why are they so popular? And, most importantly, where can you find some of your own?

Today we will talk all about bedtime stories for adults and give you our recommendations on some of the top bedtime story books you can purchase for yourself right now. 

What Are Bedtime Stories For Adults?

Bedtime stories for adults are pretty much exactly what they sound like. They are stories for adults to listen to at bedtime.

Now, we aren’t talking about adults listening to children’s bedtime stories. These are stories written precisely with adults in mind. 

When it’s time for bed, adults settle in and listen to Matthew McConaughey or Regé-Jean Page send them off on an auditory journey into a blissful sleep. 

Thousands of adults are now listening to storytellers at bedtime in the quest to get a good night’s sleep. 

But where did this start? Actually, it all began on mindfulness and meditation apps like Calm and Breethe. In addition to offering guided meditations and restful music for sleep, these apps are also offering bedtime stories for adults. And they have taken off like wildfire!  

The Calm app alone has over 200 “Sleep Stories” which have been listened to over 450 million times. That’s a lot of listening! 

Now there are podcasts dedicated to bedtime stories for adults, including “Get Sleepy” and “Sleep with Me.” 

Bedtime stories for adults help to distract you from your daily worries and allow your body’s adrenaline to come down so you can be lulled into a sleep state. You are more likely to tune into a story than you are to relaxing background music, so bedtime stories for adults are extremely effective. 

Now that you know what bedtime stories for adults are, and why they are so great for so many people, let’s take a look at some of the top bedtime stories for adults. 

The Top 6 Bedtime Stories For Adults 

As mentioned above, many bedtime stories for adults can be found on meditation apps or sleep podcasts, but there are plenty of published bedtime stories for adults, too! You can find them on Audible, or, if you prefer, you can read them to yourself or have a loved one read them to you! 

Here are our top recommendations for bedtime stories for adults: 

1. Nothing Much Happens: Cozy and Calming Stories to Soothe Your Mind and Help You Sleep

Nothing Much Happens is one of the most popular and highly-rated collections of bedtime stories for adults. It is based on the popular podcast of the same name, and is filled with soothing stories to help you find a deep and restful sleep. 

The stories in Nothing Much Happens explore small sweet moments of joy and relaxation like watching fireflies in the summer, visiting a cider mill in the fall, or enjoying a tree lighting in the park in the winter. These simple, joyful stories help to put the mind at ease.  

This book contains sixteen new stories never before featured on the podcast, along with illustrations, recipes, and meditations. It’s the perfect collection for soothing frayed nerves and getting you into that deep, relaxing state you so deserve. 

2. Bedtime Adventure Stories for Grown Ups

Want to travel the world from the comfort of your bed? Well now you can with Bedtime Adventure Stories for Grownups by Anna McNuff. 

So pour yourself some tea, put on your pajamas, and prepare to be transported around the globe with these fantastical bedtime stories for adults. 

Listen when McNuff recounts rollerblading around Amsterdam, kayaking down a gorge in New Zealand, or running a night-time marathon in the California desert. You can experience an exciting vacation while snuggling deeper into your covers. 

3. Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults

So many of us deal with stress in our daily lives. Let’s be honest – adulting is hard work! But for those feeling frazzled there is an antidote, and it’s Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults by Lucy Mangan. 

This cheerful book contains poems and short stories to help you calm your anxious mind before sleep. It is a mix of classical stories, odes to childhood favorites, and joyful poetry to put your mind in a state of blissful calm. 

4. Sleepily Ever After: Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups

Sleepily Ever After: Bedtime Stories for Grown Ups presents a captivating anthology filled with soothing, heartwarming, and humorous tales designed to help you unwind and peacefully drift into sleep.

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, known for its exquisite clothbound editions featuring foiled edges and ribbon markers, these books are ideal for gifting or treating any book enthusiast. Edited and introduced by Zachary Seager, this edition features timeless stories by renowned authors such as Oscar Wilde, Kate Chopin, Guy de Maupassant, and H. G. Wells.

In today’s fast-paced world, finding relaxation and quieting our minds can be a challenge, often leading to sleep difficulties for many adults. This collection is crafted to alleviate anxiety and calm stressed minds, inviting readers into a realm of happy endings, gentle humor, and wise choices. Each story serves as a tranquil journey toward peaceful slumber.

5. Fantastical Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults 

Some of us like a little extra fantasy at bedtime, and for fantasy and sci-fi lovers, we have the perfect bedtime stories for adults – just for you!

Fantastical Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults allows you to escape reality and drift away into magical realms with mystical beings and fantastical tales. 

This enchanting collection features a whopping 60 bedtime stories for adults that will help you say goodbye to stress and hello to worlds full of wonder. 

With nearly 300 pages of engaging content, this collection offers endless escape into the land of Nod. 

6. Frog and Toad are Doing Their Best [A Parody]: Bedtime Stories for Trying Times

Frog and Toad were beloved friends to many of us during childhood. And the two pals are back again to help us through the most trying days of adulthood. 

Frog and Toad Are Doing Their Best perfectly captures the essence of a heartwarming Frog and Toad book while calling attention to the struggles and anxieties we deal with on a daily basis. It focuses on the importance of self-care and allows us to commiserate and laugh along with their missteps. 

Frog and Toad teach us that even in the darkest times, we can get through with a little help from our friends.

Have Your Own Bedtime Story Ideas?

You should get them down on paper! Your musings could make all the difference in someone’s sleep schedule. And wouldn’t it be wonderful to know you are bringing stress relief to the masses?

Not all self-help books are memoirs – they can be bedtime stories for adults, too. And as long as you have the idea for one, it’s surprisingly easy to get your collection written and published. 

At Self-Publishing School, we can help you learn everything you need to know to write, edit, market, and publish the bedtime collection of your dreams. 

Bedtime Stories for Adults FAQ

What are adult bedtime stories?

Adult bedtime stories are tales specifically written for grown-ups to listen to or read before sleep. They help reduce stress, ease insomnia, and improve mood.

What is the best thing to listen to while falling asleep?

Calm and relaxing stories or guided meditations are excellent choices. Many people also enjoy soothing music or ambient sounds.

Do sleep stories work for adults?

Yes, they do. Sleep stories can help distract your mind from daily worries, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

What can help me fall asleep?

Listening to calming bedtime stories, practicing good sleep hygiene, and creating a relaxing bedtime routine can all help you fall asleep.

What is the best sleeping schedule for adults?

Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep per night for adults, with a consistent bedtime and wake-up time each day.

Do bedtime stories put you to sleep?

Yes, bedtime stories can help calm your mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep.