Get comfortable seated or laying down.
Let your shoulders drop,
Unclench your jaw,
Soften your belly.
Place one hand on your heart and the other on your chest.
If it feels good,
Close your eyes.
Now begin breathing a little slower than normal,
Smooth and even.
Inhale for about five seconds and exhale for about five seconds.
No forcing,
Just a steady rhythm.
As you breathe,
Imagine your breath flowing in and out through the heart area.
Like the heart is gently breathing.
Inhale straight into your heart and exhale straight from your heart.
Now bring forward a feeling of genuine appreciation.
It can be small,
A person you love,
A moment in nature,
Pet,
A memory,
Even something simple like being able to breathe right now.
Let that feeling warm the center of your chest,
Bringing it to your heart space.
And now inhale that appreciation to the count of five and exhale that appreciation to the count of five.
Now imagine your steady,
Appreciative heart energy expanding through your chest,
Your shoulders,
Your throat,
Down into your belly,
And out through your whole body like a calm signal moving through your entire system.
Stay with this feeling for a few more breaths,
Smooth,
Even,
Heart-centered.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Now let your breathing return to normal.
Keep your hand on your heart for one final moment and affirm to yourself,
I can return to the love and appreciation that I have for you.
I can return to the love and appreciation in my heart any time.
When you're ready,
Flutter your eyes open,
Bringing this coherence with you.
You've got this,
My friend.