Published September 7, 2021 06:00PM
Why Listening to the Voices of Regé-Jean Page and Harry Styles Helps You Sleep Better
It goes beyond the crush factor.
Who wouldn't want to doze off to the voices of Regé-Jean Page and Harry Styles? (Photo: Getty Images )
Let’s be honest—we all have issues sleeping every once in awhile (if not more). Whether you find yourself lying awake rethinking every conversation you had that day (thank you, social anxiety) or you can’t fall back asleep after waking up (pro tip: scrolling through Instagram doesn’t help), we’re all looking for a way to drift off easier. Are celebrity voices the answer?
The meditation app, Calm, produces a number of sleep stories read by different celebrities, including Harry Styles, Laura Dern, Idris Elba, and now Regé-Jean Page. So, on a recent sleepless night, as I lay awake contemplating my lack of weekend productivity (hey, it was Labor Day weekend), I decided to try one.
As a shameless Bridgerton fan, I selected the story narrated by Regé-Jean Page. Titled “The Prince and the Naturalist,” this tale chronicles the relationship between a naturalist and his royal student. It may have been the serene violins playing in the background or the sleep meditation’s calming story that put me to sleep—but I’m convinced the voice of Page definitely played a part in my sweet dreams that evening.
See also: The 12 Best Meditation Apps of 2021
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How does Calm pick voices for their sleep meditations?
When looking for narrators for its sleep meditations, a representative for Calm says it goes beyond selecting a common celebrity crush—it’s about selecting voices that are, well, calming. The app also aims to keep the sleep stories that make sense for each celebrity. For example, I listened to Page tell me an Old English tale—reminiscent of the actor’s hit show. There’s a reason for this, as well.
According to Calm, when celebrities read a story that feels authentic to who they are, there’s an increased chance of the listener connecting to the story—and falling asleep more easily. I mean, imagine Page reading a story centered around hockey players in Canada. That mismatch wouldn’t feel right, let alone encourage you to sleep more easily. In some cases, a celebrity voice may invoke an autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) in a listener—a sensation that makes your whole body relax.
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See also: These TikTok Creators Are Changing the Way We Look at Meditation and ASMR
Why sleep meditation works
According to the Sleep Foundation, sleep meditations can induce a relaxed state of mind by slowing down your heart rate and breath—and lowering the level of cortisol in your body. So, those sexy celebrity sleep meditations provoke more than just a crush—they may biologically alter your brain to combat insomnia.
Not convinced? The next time you’re struggling to fall asleep, turn to a celebrity sleep meditation and see if you doze off easier. If nothing else, tuning in to the voice of Matthew McConaughey (alright, alright, alright), pop star/heartthrob Harry Styles, or British baking extraordinaire Dame Mary Berry at night may help you relax—and feel a little happier.
The Calm App is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. After a free, seven-day trial, the app’s premium version costs $14.99/month or $69.99/year.
