Most of us outgrew the ritual of being read bedtime stories once we learned to read on our own. And, since then, many of us might have even swapped books altogether for pre sleep online streaming activities. But with pandemic-related sleep disturbances and nightmares on the rise, those soothing tales of we connected with so much as a child might just be worth revisiting. With soft Irish instruments such as the Celtic Harp or Violin, these guided audiobooks mimic the comfort of a childhood ritual while using intentional calming vocal tones that quiet the noise that has come to define being an adult in 2021.
Many of us are experiencing elevated stress and anxiety which neuroscientists have told us can alter the quality and quantity of our sleep by overstimulating the sympathetic nervous system. An increase in stress can trigger the activation of the fight-or-flight response and release of the stress hormone cortisol.
Since the pandemic started, sleep schedules have changed, many people seem to be staying up later and sleeping later, and for some of us, the change in sleep patterns and a lack of consistent sleep schedule can trigger insomnia symptoms.
Staying indoors more, as many are while adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines and quarantining, can also play a role in sleep troubles because less sun exposure can disturb the circadian rhythm and make falling and staying asleep more difficult. In addition, a decrease in social events means we’ve blended the line between life and sleep, often working, scrolling social media, or watching television in bed-all of which weakens the brain’s association between bed and sleep.
The narrator Mary Woodhall believes sleep stories can help to calm the mind and thus improve the quality of our lives “If I can help people get a good night’s sleep, that’s everything,” she says. “I knew I wanted to share Irish Fairy Tales and Legends with other people to give them a soft-landing spot for their mind.” These stories create room for nostalgia about the sweeter parts of life-whether that’s reminiscing about the stories our grandma used to tell us as we sat on her knee or watching the fireflies light up on a summer night.
10 сен 2024
