Sleeping is one of the great pleasures in life.

Those last moments between being awake and being asleep are my favorite. Rocked by the lullaby of my own breath, drifting between the two worlds and letting myself slow down completely—it’s delicious.

I don’t usually have trouble falling asleep. I do, however, have trouble going to bed. Some nights I tuck myself in and nestle into my pillow already fantasizing about the nap I hope to take tomorrow, since I have so few hours left before my alarm rudely puts an end to my peaceful slumber.

One of my favorite things to do before I unplug, meditate and actually put myself to bed is to listen to some songs to put me in the mood.

Take a deep breath. Stretch out. Press play:

1.

If you aren’t listening to First Aid Kit yet, you are missing out.

2.

“It’s thoughts like this that catch my troubled head when you’re away…”

3.

“When you are close to me…this room hasn’t got any walls…”

4.

I’ll take Mumford & Sons most anytime, but this one is perfect for bedtime.

5.

Tom Waits’ voice is the aural equivalent of a tumbler of scotch before bed. Burns a bit. Warms you where you need it.

6.

“Oh how could I expect to fly with only paper wings!”

7.

“If you want to catch a star then walk my way…I will take you where the night is always day.”

8.

(I’ve been known to sing this one to my favorite little people at bedtime too…)

Sweet dreams!