7 Bedtime Stories for Adults to Help You Relax and Unwind

Aura Health Team
Written by
Aura Health Team
Aura Health is a community of hundreds of top coaches, therapists, and storytellers worldwide. We are here to provide the world’s most extensive, personalized collection of mental wellness content & services.
Aura Meditation Guide
Written by
Aura Meditation Guide
7 Bedtime Stories for Adults to Help You Relax and Unwind7 Bedtime Stories for Adults to Help You Relax and Unwind
Key Takeaways

Discover Top Sleep Stories with the Aura Mindfulness App‍.

Transform your sleep patterns with Aura's sleep sounds, sleep stories, hypnosis', meditations, and relaxing tracks.

Now that you have an idea of what makes a good bedtime story, here are our top 7 picks to help you relax and unwind:

  1. "The Catcher in the Rye" – This story follows a teenager navigating the challenges of adolescence.
  2. "The Nightingale" - A tale of two sisters whose story is a blend of sacrifice, love, and resilience, creating a potent and impactful tale.
  3. "The Alchemist" – A modern classic about following dreams.
  4. "The Road" – This story sets the stage for a father and son's harrowing journey for survival and love. 
  5. "The Handmaid's Tale" – This story imagines a world where women are controlled by the powerful. It's a strong warning about being controlled and how people fight against it.
  6. "The Princess Bride" – An adventure filled with love and fantasy.
  7. "The Book Thief" – A touching story that honors strength in tough times.

No matter what your taste is, there's something on this list for everyone. Check out Aura's library for more soothing bedtime tales. Give these stories a try and have a peaceful night's sleep. So why not give it a try tonight? You might find yourself drifting into a peaceful sleep sooner than you think.

New: Listen to Aura's Award-Winning Bedtime Stories: View Library

Why Bedtime Stories Are Good for Grown-Ups

Bedtime stories aren't just for kids. Having a tough time winding down after a long day? Struggling to find sleep as you toss and turn? Maybe a bedtime story is the answer. It's not just for kids, adults can enjoy them too! In this article, we'll look at why bedtime stories are great for grown-ups, the kinds of stories you can pick from, and some of the best stories to help you fall asleep peacefully. They can also help adults relax and find calm. Here are a few reasons why:

Bedtime Stories Can Reduce Anxiety and Stress

A calming bedtime story might help you unwind and manage stress. It distracts you from anxieties, which is especially beneficial if you have insomnia or racing thoughts that keep you up at night.

Bedtime Stories Can Lead to Better Sleep

Bedtime stories can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by calming your body and mind. This results in better mornings and more refreshing sleep.

Bedtime Stories Can Boost Imagination and Creativity

Imaginative stories are fun and can spark your creativity. They let you escape to a world of fantasy and forget about real-life stress. You might even be motivated to write or to be more imaginative by them.

Bedtime Stories Can Strengthen Relationships

Sharing bedtime stories with a loved one can bring you closer. It's a way to connect and have something to talk about together.

Learning New Things

Bedtime stories can introduce you to new ideas and vocabulary. They can broaden your understanding by teaching you about various cultures, histories, and sciences.

Healthier and Happier Mood

A bedtime story is comforting and enjoyable to listen to. It can make you feel happier and take care of your mental well-being.

Adult Bedtime Stories Have Different Styles

Adult bedtime stories come in a variety of styles. Here are a few options to choose from:

Twists on Classic Bedtime Stories

Stories that retell old fairy tales in new ways, like Cinderella from a stepsister's view or a kind wolf in Little Red Riding Hood.

Modern Short Stories

Tales from today that make you think For example, "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson talks about human nature, and "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is about a woman's journey.

Poems and Stories

‍It might be relaxing to listen to poetry. You can unwind by reading nature poems by Mary Oliver or emotional verses by Rupi Kaur. You can enter another world through authors like Haruki Murakami, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Toni Morrison.

How to Choose the Best Bedtime Story for You

Pick a story that suits your time and mood. Choose an exciting story if you're feeling excited. Choose a soothing one if you're feeling depressed. Ensure that the narrator's voice is comforting and suits your taste. For example:

- Your Mood and Interests

- Story Length

- Soothing Narration/Voice of the Narrator

No items found.

Aura Meditation Guide

June 1, 2023
Bedtime Stories
How are you feeling?
Search below to see if we have a meditation or wellness track for whatever you’re feeling. Just enter your mood and take our short quiz.
Topics
Sleep
Topics
Sleep
Topics
Anxiety
Content type
Nature Sounds
Track length
0-5 min
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
1000+
Tracks for you based on your preferences
Get unlimited access to 20,000+ meditations, sleep, and wellness tracks on Aura
Whats included
Fall asleep faster, reduce stress and anxiety, and find peace every day
Exclusive content from top mindfulness experts, psychologists, and therapists
Join live sessions & connect with the community
New content added every week
Lets personalize your experience

Find What Heals You

Meditation, sleep, CBT, therapy — everything for your mental wellness in one place.

Most popular in Meditation
Most popular in Story
Most popular in Hypnosis
Most popular in Coaching
Most popular in Therapy
Most popular in Prayer
Most popular in ASMR
Most popular in Health coaching
Most popular in Breathwork
Most popular in Work Wellness
Most popular in Music
Most popular in Sounds
aura_ring
Is Aura right for you?Take our quiz to find out.
Preview
0:00
0:00
No items found.
Liberating Yourself from Guilt and Fear
June 7, 2023

Liberating Yourself from Guilt and Fear

This article will guide you through the process of liberating yourself from the shackles of guilt and fear.

Read More
Meditation Candles: Your Partner in Peace
July 1, 2023

Meditation Candles: Your Partner in Peace

Discover the incredible benefits of using meditation candles to enhance your mindfulness practice.

Read More
Banana Tea: All You Need to Know for Better Sleep
January 2, 2024

Banana Tea: All You Need to Know for Better Sleep

Discover the surprising benefits of banana tea for better sleep! Learn how to make this natural sleep aid, its potential health benefits, and the science behind its effectiveness.

Read More
What is Visualization Meditation? Explained by Aura
February 28, 2024

What is Visualization Meditation? Explained by Aura

Unlock the power of visualization meditation with this in-depth exploration by Aura.

Read More
What is Mantra? Explained by Aura
February 29, 2024

What is Mantra? Explained by Aura

Uncover the mystical world of mantras with Aura's expert explanation.

Read More
Thriving as a Single Mother: The Power of Nature & Movement
April 1, 2025

Thriving as a Single Mother: The Power of Nature & Movement

Single motherhood can feel isolating and exhausting, but movement, nature and intentional alignment can help you reclaim your energy and thrive. Here’s how to break out of survival mode and step into resilience.

Read More
How to Lucid Dream in One Night: A Step-by-Step Guide
July 1, 2023

How to Lucid Dream in One Night: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to lucid dream in just one night with this comprehensive step-by-step guide.

Read More
Ditching Guilt: Prioritizing Self-Care
November 1, 2023

Ditching Guilt: Prioritizing Self-Care

Discover the empowering journey of ditching guilt and embracing self-care.

Read More
Chaos vs. Calm: The Creative Dilemma
November 1, 2023

Chaos vs. Calm: The Creative Dilemma

Discover the inner turmoil faced by creative minds as they grapple with the eternal battle between chaos and calm.

Read More

Stay Updated: Get the latest from Aura's Mindfulness Blog

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.