Few things are as frustrating as lying in bed at night, closing your eyes after a demanding day, only to find yourself awake and restless for hours. A poor night’s sleep can set a negative tone for the following day, leaving you feeling groggy, distracted, and not exactly the best company.

I’ve experienced this scenario more times than I care to admit and I’m sure many of you can relate. However, about 18 months ago, I stumbled upon a sleep technique that works like a charm, helping me drift off almost immediately. I now use this method every night and wake up feeling revitalized and energized.

Some individuals find solace in listening to white or brown noise to aid their slumber. These low-frequency sounds are designed to promote relaxation and facilitate sleep by drowning out disruptive noises, which can be particularly beneficial if you live in a noisy environment.

While I understand the appeal, this approach didn’t quite work for me. That’s when I discovered my go-to sleep strategy: listening to scientific podcasts delivered in an ASMR style.

ASMR, or autonomous sensory meridian response, might not be everyone’s cup of tea. According to the Sleep Foundation, ASMR can induce deep relaxation and pleasurable tingling sensations in the scalp and neck in response to soft sounds like whispering or gentle noises paired with subtle movements.

You’ve likely seen videos of people whispering softly into oversized microphones, chewing, or tapping their nails, and perhaps scrolled past them with disinterest. However, I’ve found them to be a remarkable sleep aid, especially when the whispers revolve around topics like the universe.

My favourite podcast is Let’s Find Out on Spotify, which consists of a man reading about scientific phenomenons, historical figures, and everything in between, in a barely-there voice. He’s usually reading from a book, so you get those page-turning sounds in there too. When you listen on the lowest possible volume, I can guarantee you’ll fall asleep instantly. 

I don’t know what it is about these podcast episodes that just makes me instantly switch off. I have never recalled a single fact he’s read out, although I’m sure they’re very interesting. I think it’s just a combination of the content I don’t really understand, the low voice and the page-turning, but it works every single night. 

Good sleep is so important, as we’re all aware, so if you have been struggling, then I highly recommend getting stuck into some ASMR science. Each morning, I wake up feeling so well-rested, and I am certain that this is due to it.