WIND DOWN WITH OUR SLEEP STORIES THIS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

May 18, 2023

This Mental Health Awareness Week (15th-21st May) is a great opportunity to check in with yourself on your sleep habits and hygiene.

What influence does good sleep have on mental health?

Over half of US adults describe their sleep quality as ‘fair’ or ‘poor' - but those who describe their sleep quality as 'very good' or 'excellent' are half as likely to report feeling anxious or stressed. Only 43% of adults in the US strongly agree that quality of sleep influences their mental health, meaning the link between the two is not widely recognised.

What is a sleep story?

Unlike a traditional audiobook, or a guided meditation, sleep stories give listeners a gradual unwind, rather than a gripping build-up. The character’s experience becomes slower and calmer as the story goes on, lulling the listener gradually to sleep.

Here at The Roald Dahl Story Company, we’ve been working with the marvellous minds at Calm to create audio that helps listeners relax, unwind, and doze off to Dream Country. You can find The BFG, Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on the Calm app, offering listeners a sensationally soporific experience inspired by all their favourite characters.

We’ve rounded up all the Roald Dahl sleep content you can find right now on the app:

Excerpts from The BFG: The Marvellous Ears

We really are spoiling you here, as when it comes to The BFG we have not one, but two audio pieces.

First up is a new extract reading, narrated beautifully by Jerome Flynn - actor from Game of Thrones and mindfulness advocate. Listen in as Sophie and The BFG wonder about all things dream-blowing, snozzcumbers and secret whisperings of the world.

What’s more, the audio experts at Calm have whipped up a delightfully dreamy soundscape to help listeners unwind. Just a minute of this will have you transported to Giant Country, sitting next to a cosy fire in the BFG’s cave.

Charlie and the Dream Factory

For fans of Willy Wonka, this completely original sleep story invites listeners into a previously off-limits room in the famous chocolate factory – one which turns dreams into reality.

Narrating as Wonka himself, Henry Golding (star of Crazy Rich Asians) encourages little listeners to imagine their pillow is stuffed with marshmallow fluff as he guides them on an audio adventure through a room where sleep is the secret ingredient.

This gentle adventure has been igniting sleepy imaginations with a peek inside yet another corner of Willy Wonka’s factory.

Excerpts from Matilda: Meeting Miss Honey

Last but by no means least, join Kirby (of The Sandman and The Good Place fame) as she guides you on a visit to Crunchem Hall primary school. There you will meet a very special teacher… and don’t worry – we’re not talking about the Trunchbull.

You’ll know this teacher by her kind, lovely smile and her caring, gentle manner. Who better to help you drift off to sleep than Miss Honey herself?

All Roald Dahl sleep stories can be found on the Calm app. Find out how to listen by visiting the Calm website.

WIND DOWN WITH OUR SLEEP STORIES THIS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK

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