12 September,2021 08:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Jane Borges
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Last year, Audible launched a special Sleep Collection, which comprised a slew of audio books to help cope with the stress of the pandemic. The podcast series, the makers said, was created with a strong focus on scientifically proven relaxation and calming techniques. While we thoroughly enjoyed the night meditation series, we had mixed feelings about the bedtime story collection, for which well-known artistes like Nick Jonas have lent their voice. The stories are "written with no beginning, middle, or end so you don't have to stay up to hear what happens next". We loved how the storytellers lulled us to sleep with their soft, deep and slow-moving narration, but the stories didn't hold us for too long.
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Price : Rs 836
Not too long ago, we came across an audio book on happiness by clinical and consulting psychologist Dr Tim Sharp, popularly known as Dr Happy. The simple techniques he suggested, which came to our rescue through the disturbing second wave, led us to Habits For Good Sleep. Dr Sharp, who is the founder of the Happiness Institute in Sydney, tells us what we probably already know. Something as basic as exercising daily, avoiding caffeine after 2 pm, taking care of your mental health, following a healthy work routine, and cutting off from social media and screen-time can help with good sleep.
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Price: Rs 460
Again, part of the Audible Sleep Collection, Sound Baths, comprising seven audio titles, has been curated by sound therapist Sara Auster. These are "full-body listening experiences" aimed at calming the mind and body with resonant instruments like tuning forks and crystal bowls. In order to get the most out of it, Auster recommends dimming the lights and lying down or sitting in a comfortable position with an eye mask and a blanket. We thoroughly recommend
this one for getting you to slow down, helping you let go of the day's worries, and finding your inner balance. The sounds too, are dreamy and trance-like.
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Price : Rs 836
For those who have many questions around sleep and why it's important for good health and longevity, listen to the audiobook edition of Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker (Penguin), read by John Sackville. Walker, professor of neuroscience and psychology and director of the Sleep and Neuroimaging Lab at the University of California, Berkeley, has put together 20 years of research to offer a compelling argument on why sleep matters. A Sunday Times bestseller, the book shines light on how every major disease in the world is related to sleep deficiency, and how certain foods, alcohol and even caffeine can affect our sleep patterns.
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Price : Rs 888