I’ve struggled with poor sleep for as long as I can remember – even as a kid I was a crazy insomniac. Over the last few years I got better, then extremely worse (non-sleeping child nearly killed me), then back to being much better again: with thanks to guided meditations reminding me to relax and breathe, and stopping me from mulling over stupid shit that fills my brain before sleep.
I’ve tried many, many meditations and these are the five that I keep coming back to. Where I am, my mood, and how tired I am will dictate which one I listen to on any given night, but the first one has been on high rotation here for a few months now – I’ve never listened to the whole thing because I always fall asleep before the end. Coincidence? Maybe, but I’m sleeping! I ain’t gonna argue.
Do you find it hard to fall asleep or stay asleep? I hope these help.
1. Hypnosis for Clearing Subconscious Negativity by Michael Sealey
This is actually a YouTube video, and has been really useful. I always want to provide good vibes to the world and I chose this one randomly one night when I felt like I’d had a bad week. Don’t be afraid about the hypnosis bit, he jus
2. Relax into Sleep Guided Meditation by Meditation Oasis
I toggle between this one and the next, and usually use it when I’m away as it’s downloaded already and I’m not chewing up all my data.
3. Deep Rest Guided Meditation by Meditation Oasis
Either one of these work really well – I like Mary’s soothing voice.
4. Journey to Deep Relaxation by Anxiety Slayer
Every time I listen to this I always think I should buy the whole album – I know I would really find it useful!
I first started listening to the Anxiety Slayer podcast early last year when I was mega stressed and wondering if I was developing anxiety. I wasn’t, I was just sleep-deprived and taking on too much. But I ended up loving the podcast and sometimes just listen to that as I’m falling asleep or wake up in the middle of the night.
5. Rejuvenating Sleep by The Meditation Podcast
I don’t know whether it’s particularly rejuvenating or not, but I definitely sleep. They also have another one about deep sleep, and I often listen to that one also.
So what do you do when you can’t sleep? Are there sleep meditations you like?
Not only is my brain always busy, but it’s totally nocturnal. I find it so hard to switch my brain off and go to Sleepy Town so I’m definitely going to be trying one of these. I know this might be a dumb question, but do you have to be good at meditating to feel the benefits? Just asking because I’m more “mind full” than “mindful”!
Hi Sammie love, you don’t have to be ‘good’ at meditating truly because it’s like no other thing I have been learning …it’s just been helpful for me to learn (via Headspace app and many other sources) that I can not ‘react’ as much to the many thoughts and feelings which continue to appear in my brain as I slow myself down to pay attentio to the breath…let me know if you want to know more so to speak. Love Denyse x PS I am downloading some of these too. every little bit helps!
That makes sense, Denyse, thanks for that! My brain is always so busy, I guess it’s more realistic to try not to react than to expect my brain to magically be empty!
nope! I suck at it, but it’s a good reminder to breathe and relax your muscles, so I just do that. I don’t ever stop thinking of stuff though!
Thanks Stacey, awesome additions to my ‘playlists’ and to my podcasts. I’m much better at being mindful than I was – thanks to learning more about meditation and actually doing it via Headspace app each day for the past 6 months..but there are nights when a gentle voice can help unwind me from the day. Love to you and yours. D xxx
I keep hearing about this headspace app!
Thanks! I am trying to pick up a meditation habit. Why is it just not as easy as my wine habit! Meditation Oasis looks fab!
There is a Buddhify one that I love. I always find that if I listen to the same one over and over again it helps…it gets so that even the first few lines are enough of a cue and I fall fast asleep.
Gotta love those sleep cues – they really do work!
The kids broke my sleep. I’ve still not got back on track so I thank you for this lovely list. I’m no good at meditation either, but perhaps pre-sleep is the answer for me. x
These days I don’t have too many problems getting to sleep. It’s the waking up part I find a struggle! I wonder if you can get a morning meditation to get you sorted for the day?
I have five of those I like that I was going to do a post on 😀
Wow great list – my wife is a big fan of frangrant heart – so it will be a nice change for her to have these suggestions – I’ll pass them on. Thanks bren
I hope she liked them 🙂
I usually fall asleep at the end of a yoga class in the end 5 minute meditation. Definitely need to give sleep meditation a go for those restless nights where no amount of camomile can put me to bed.
Oh man I nearly did that once! Haha how weird is it.
I’ve been looking for some meditation to do before sleep. Always good to get recommendations. Thank you! The two I downloaded are annoying and have the opposite effect of putting me to sleep!
Haha I’ve listened to more than a few of those! They’re so distracting. And frustrating.