Health_Fitness_UK_July_2017

Tune in,
drop off
If you want to sleep better
tonight, how about an
adult bedtime story?
WORDS: Gabrielle Nathan PHOTOGRAPHY: Getty Images
Every night of my childhood,
one of my parents would
read my sister and I a
bedtime story. Noddy was
a favourite – and told so
often we knew the words off by heart. The
familiarity of the narrative and the soothing
voice reading it aloud while we were tucked
up conspired to send us off to sleep soon
after the book had closed.
Fast forward thirty years and I often
struggle to fall asleep, with additions to
my to-do list pinging into my mind. So
when I heard that a series of bedtime
stories for adults has just been launched,
I was keen to know more. Written and
recorded by hypnotherapist Dan Jones,
co-founder of The Mind Changers
(themindchangers.co.uk), an online
resource for managing stress, anxiety and
mental health, the stories have been
developed in response to demand
from clients who have used his
self-hypnosis MP3s for
overcoming phobias, exam
worries and more.
‘As children, we were given a
regular bedtime routine, which
was a clear signal to our mind
and body to start winding down
and preparing for sleep,’ says Jones.
‘However, as adults, the bedtime routine is
often lost, so we don’t prime for sleep. We
lie down and hope our minds and bodies
will instantly switch off, but it’s when there
are no external distractions that we have
a chance to tune into our thoughts.’ It’s
these reflections that keep us awake,
preventing us from restful slumber.
‘I’ve seen so many people suffering
from stress and health-related problems
exacerbated by lack of sleep and wanted
to create a natural way to help them,’ says
Jones. ‘Looking at how we were taught to
sleep as children was a great place to start
and, since being read a bedtime story is a
crucial part of that process, I created adult
audio books that help people drift into a
restorative sleep.’
HOW IT WORKS
Just like childhood bedtime books,
Jones’ adult versions are engaging but
uncomplicated and undemanding so your
brain isn’t too stimulated. ‘It’s important
that the stories gently hold listeners’
attention with sensory visions rather than
complex plots, otherwise they become
too difficult to follow,’ he says.
Jones’s voice stays calm and soothing,
too. ‘Storytelling tone is crucial and needs
to be relaxing and consistent
as different accents and
‘Just like childhood
bedtime books, Jones’
adult versions are
engaging but
uncomplicated.’
intonation can excite
listeners and introduce
unwanted tension into a
narrative,’ he says. It’s a
delicate balance – the
stories are interesting
enough follow, but aren’t
so gripping that you want
to stay awake until the end.
GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
Adult Bedtime
Stories Sets
£7.99 per CD
(each contains
two to three stories);
mindchangers.co.uk
Download a free
sample track from
themindchangers.co.uk/
sleep and give it a go.
Well-earned
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Wind down with a
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When I ask if these stories are better
than other common methods of ‘switching
off’ before bed, Jones is unequivocal.
‘Anything involving screens means
stimulating blue light will trigger your brain’s
wake response. You may fall asleep but it
won’t be the restful sleep your body needs.’
And music lovers be aware the tempo
has to be just right. ‘Too lively and it will
keep you awake; too slow and it can end
up as background music to your internal
conversation,’ says Jones. Even reading a
book has drawbacks. ‘You have to make
a decision to stop reading and go to sleep
but with an audio story, you don’t make a
conscious choice,’ he says.
The stories Jones has written are similar
to guided meditations and have elements
of self-hypnosis but you won’t be
instructed to ‘focus on your breathing’ for
instance. Instead, you’re encouraged to
explore scenes in your mind and imagine
meeting characters. I don’t manage to hear
the ending of any of the stories I start. No
matter: a good night’s sleep is the happiest
ending of all.
Tisserand
Sweet
Dreams kit
£9.95;
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Jasmine, lavender and
sandalwood oils in a
roller ball, bath oil and
body oil will lull you
into a peaceful slumber.
40 Health & Fitness // healthandfitnessonline.co.uk