This is a gentle visualization to help you fall asleep.
Over the next few minutes,
You'll imagine yourself descending gently into a place of comfort and relaxation as your body slows down and drops into a place of rest.
So getting started,
Just settle into a comfortable position,
Lying down in your bed.
Take some time to stretch or move,
Adjusting your body to whatever position feels most settled.
And now,
Closing your eyes,
Just begin to visualize the coziest place you can imagine.
It could be real or just in your imagination.
There's no limit,
No rules.
Let your mind play with the idea.
You're building a world,
A safe,
Warm,
Cozy place where you relax for the night.
Maybe you pull in something or someone that gives you a sense of safety,
Or maybe it's just you,
Resting in total peace.
And as this place begins to take shape in your mind,
Just deepen into your senses.
What does it look like?
What does it feel like in this space,
Noticing the sounds,
The smells,
The way the air feels,
The sensations against your skin?
And holding that place in your mind,
Find yourself at the top of a staircase.
There are 10 steps,
And at the bottom is your wonderful,
Cozy,
Imaginary world.
But before you settle into your place of rest,
You have to go down the stairs,
And we'll do so one at a time,
Counting down from 10.
Take a slow inhale,
And a slow exhale,
And find yourself on the top step,
10.
Looking down on the cozy place you've just created,
Allowing your muscles to relax,
Thanking them for all the work they've done today,
Noticing any areas of tension,
And allowing relaxation to bloom,
Making any small shifts to allow that.
Take a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
9.
Noticing the stillness in your body,
Maybe a heaviness beginning to settle over you,
Your eyes begin to feel heavy as you look down at the remaining stairs.
Take a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
8.
Allowing that feeling of warmth and relaxation,
Inviting your muscles to let go as you look down at the place where you'll be resting soon,
Inviting your mind to let go of any thoughts,
Shifting the focus to how good it feels to let go.
Take a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
7.
You're well on your way now to sleep,
Feeling that stillness,
Feeling waves of relaxation,
Waves of calm moving over your body,
Inviting all systems in your body to prepare for rest and to be replenished.
Take a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
6.
Feeling sensations of heaviness embraced by a pleasant weight,
Soothing your body and mind as your eyelids feel heavier and heavier.
Take a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
5.
Halfway there now,
Your body is at rest,
You'll be free to rest in your safe,
Cozy place very soon,
Allowing the body to be heavy,
Allowing the eyelids to be heavy.
Taking a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
4.
Feeling a sense of warmth and slow waves of energy pulling you deeper.
Take a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
3.
Letting your eyelids be heavy,
Nearly closed,
As you approach your safe,
Cozy place.
Take a slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
2.
Giving your muscles permission to turn off,
Settling in for the night,
Very soon you can fall asleep,
Your place is waiting for you.
A slow inhale,
And exhale as you drop down to the next step,
3.
Allowing yourself to step into your warm,
Cozy place,
Your eyelids can finally close completely,
Your muscles relax as your whole body drops into sleep,
Your senses gently relax,
Your head embracing the heaviness,
Dropping into deep,
Deep sleep.