Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep

iHeartPodcasts

Having trouble sleeping?  Join Yoga and meditation teacher Kathryn Nicolai for bedtime stories where nothing much happens to help you relax and sleep peacefully. The stories are a soft landing spot for your mind. Rather than letting your brain race through the same thoughts you’ve been chasing all day, we are taking a detour to a calm and comfy place. We tell the story twice and go a bit slower the second time.

You can find our book, "Nothing Much Happens," in over 20 languages. Request your local bookseller to shelve it: https://bit.ly/Nothing-Much-Happens

read less

Our Editor's Take

Listeners can drift off with the soothing words of Kathryn Nicolai. Her podcast is Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep. Stressful days wind people up so much at times that counting sheep to sleep doesn't work. TV shows mean more screen time and stimulating blue light. Things come up in some audiobooks that trigger worries for many. That goes doubly for those who already suffer from things like anxiety. This podcast is a sleepy alternative.

Nicolai draws on her experience as a yoga and meditation instructor to calm the mind and body. She crafts her podcast stories with alluring sensory detail and gentle character arcs to distract minds. Her stories take listeners on a walk in the woods or a stroll to a magical tea shop after a good day. Sounds and smells and mellow ambiance team up to calm the mind. Simple and pleasant experiences help listeners get their minds off the day.

Nicolai crafts stories with ideal meter and repetition to lull listeners to sleep. Her pace is slow, but not too slow in Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep. Like hypnosis, Nicolai's voice talent is as effective as her writing. Her resonating voice is soft but not too soft.

She recites each story twice. (So, each podcast is about 30 minutes.) The first, faster read works as a step down to the second, slower read. Her style makes her bedtime stories great for many audiences with trouble sleeping. She welcomes the wandering mind to do so and drift off at its own pace. Her sensation and forward motion blend can lure even the most distracted listeners.

Nicolai first started using her storytelling technique to help older kids wind down. Eventually, she employed the approach in her yoga and meditation classes. Nothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep is primarily for adults. However, Nicolai encourages parents to listen along with their kids. Her podcast has a large following, and listeners report better sleep and health. Many find it to be a quiet celebration of comfort and joy at the end of a long day.

read less
Health & FitnessHealth & Fitness

Episodes