Over the next three minutes or so,
You will have the opportunity to reset your nervous system,
To dial down stress,
And to call up a feeling of relaxation in your body.
Research shows that even very short breaks such as this,
To interrupt our habitual stress response and practice wiring in relaxation,
Can be very beneficial to our health and well-being.
Take a moment to sit upright and feel your feet on the floor beneath you.
Set an intention that for the next few minutes you will give your body the opportunity to reset,
To recharge,
And to relax deeply.
Imagine that you are leaving your to-do list,
Your worries,
And your busyness at the door as you bring your awareness into your body right now as we start this meditation.
Begin to follow your breath as it comes in and as it goes out.
With each out-breath,
Gently give yourself permission to release any stress,
Tension,
Or tightness that you notice in your body.
Allow your neck and shoulders to soften.
Allow the muscles in your face and your back to unwind from their habitual holding.
Feel your breath flow from the top of your head,
Down through your entire body,
And into the tips of your toes,
And back up again.
As you imagine that each breath is calming your nervous system and filling your body with a warm,
Soothing light.
Think about a time and place when you felt deeply relaxed,
Peaceful,
And safe,
And go there now in your mind as your body remembers this experience.
See this place in your mind's eye or watch the images on the screen as you surround yourself with deep peace,
Tranquility,
Serenity.
There is nowhere else you need to be but here in this moment.
You are safe.
Your body is filling with a deep sense of calmness.
Take notice of what your body feels like as it relaxes.
Notice your breath.
Notice any places that feel open,
Still,
Centered.
Make note of what this feels like so that you can take this with you into your day.
Getting ready to return in a moment,
Think of one thing that you are grateful for and let this feeling of gratitude radiate through your heart and vitalize you as you choose how you would like to go forward in your day.
Holding on to that feeling of gratitude,
Take a deep,
Slow breath as you bring your attention back into the room and ready to go forward in your day.
