Hi there, and welcome to today's Sleep Soundly practice. I'm glad you're here, especially on a day that might feel a bit overwhelming. Maybe you've been wrestling with racing thoughts, or perhaps the weight of recent global uncertainties is making restful sleep feel just out of reach.

Let's take a moment to ground ourselves right where you are. Find a comfortable position - whether you're sitting, lying down, or nestled in your favorite quiet space. Close your eyes if that feels right, and take a deep breath that fills your entire body, like a gentle wave washing over you.

Today, we're exploring a practice I call the "Releasing River" - a mindful technique designed to help you let go of the day's tensions and prepare your mind for deep, restorative sleep. Imagine your thoughts as leaves floating on a slow-moving river. Each breath becomes the current that carries these thoughts downstream, away from you.

Begin by noticing your breath. Not changing it, just observing. Feel the natural rhythm - the soft rise and fall of your chest, the cool air entering your nostrils, the warm air leaving. With each exhale, imagine a leaf gently landing on the river's surface. Your worries, your to-do lists, today's challenges - each one becomes a leaf.

When a thought arrives - and they will - simply acknowledge it. "Oh, there's a thought about work," or "I'm thinking about tomorrow." Then, without judgment, place that thought on a leaf and watch it drift away. The river keeps moving. The leaves float past. You remain steady, calm, observing.

Your breath is the constant. Steady. Reliable. The river continues to flow, carrying away tension, creating space for rest. Some leaves might want to linger - that's okay. Observe them with kindness. Let them move when they're ready.

As we close, take three deep breaths. Carry this sense of gentle release with you. Tonight, when you prepare for sleep, remember the river. Remember that your thoughts can move through you without controlling you.

Thank you for practicing with me today. If this resonated, please subscribe to Sleep Soundly. We'll be here tomorrow, creating space for your most peaceful rest.

Breathe well. Sleep deeply.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI