Getting to sleep when you’re dealing with the stress and anxiety of caregiving — and anticipating your next interruption — is no easy feat.
Luckily, there are podcasts to help you slip back into slumber. Here are a few I’ve tried and found helpful.
Sleep With Me: A sleep inducing podcast
This collection of meandering monotone monologues is just like that history teacher who you couldn’t stay awake for. It’s a sure bet.
Game of Drones: The Game of Thrones sleep aid
Another project by the same folks as Sleep With Me, but for Game of Thrones fans. You might not believe GoT could be so boring, but he’ll prove you wrong and help you get a good night’s rest.
Deep Energy: Music for sleep, meditation & relaxation
If you want something without words, this is the answer.
The Daily Meditation Podcasts
These meditations aren’t specifically designed to help you fall asleep, but they do the trick for me. They’ve also been helpful in making my every day life a little smoother.
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
I sometimes find that these old time radio detective stories keep me awake with suspense, so tread with caution.
Orvis Fly Fishing Guide
My grandfather’s instructions had a knack for putting me to sleep, so this one works wonders for me.
On Being
This interview podcast may not quite put you to sleep, but it’s relaxing and informative.
Mom has dementia with sundowners. What’s sleep?
I am a caregiver for my hubby for 10 years now ..before his stroke and other health issues we lived at the beach in a motor home .. while there I wrote many gulf shore poems .. hubby encouraged me to put them on a CD to the sounds of waves and nature .. so we did that ..
the very next month he had a stroke ..
When I could not sleep and to this day I listen to the CD and fall asleep..
my hubby’s CNA’s grandmother who is 90 , had not slept in two weeks .. we gave her a CD and she slept all night listening to the CD ..
Anyway I will share it here ..
I don’t know why it has that effect on people but I’m glad it helps .. you can listen to it here
http://www.soundclick.com/Theresaloder
God Bless
I would “die” when I got home for the night – but I could hear my phone ring, like a baby crying! Many midnight runs across town to Mom’s
Yes, yes, yes!! Midnight runs for both my Dad and Mom. Always had my Go bag ready because my runs were usually to ER. Always carried their medical info, living will, power of attorney type paperwork. Even after both Parents passed on, my phone ringing anytime of day or night would automatically send me into Go mode in my mind! Took a good long time for that to go away.
It’s been 2 years this month (for both of them) – I still can’t stand the sound of my phone ringing. I had to change the ringer and everything! Serious panic – every time it rang.
My Fitbit says I get on average five hours of sleep a day
It’s hard to sleep when you are also keeping an ear out to make sure your loved one isn’t crying for help!!!
I sometimes put on a youtube video say of a long interview as background and I can get to sleep, don’t need to hear what they are saying, just as background ( still need to hear any ventilator alarms!)
Thanks for sharing about the podcast!!!
+1 for Sleep With Me Podcast! The thing that I love about Scooter and his podcast is that it comes from a spirit of kindness, creating a safe place in the deep dark night. His stories are interesting enough to drown out the anxieties in my mind, yet boring enough that I find myself asleep in hardly any time at all. I have been listening for almost a year and I have never made it more than halfway through an hour episode. Try it out a few times. Trust me. 🙂
Thanks Monica for sharing your experiences with the podcast!
You bet. Between Scooter and my SleepPhones – Pajamas for your ears, I’m set. 🙂