In challenging times,
It can feel hard to change our outlook,
To shift our mindset away from things that are causing us stress.
For the next few minutes,
There's nowhere else you need to be except here,
Listening to the sound of my voice.
So let yourself take this break and relax.
Take a few moments to get comfortable,
Sitting or lying down,
And close your eyes.
Begin to notice your breathing.
Don't try to control it,
Just let it naturally come in and out.
In and out.
In and out.
Sometimes it helps to place your hand on your chest or stomach,
And notice how your body moves as you breathe.
Focus on the gentle rhythm of your breath.
As you continue to breathe,
Let yourself count your inhalation and exhalation.
Count to three as you breathe in.
One,
Two,
Three.
Then count to three as you breathe out.
One,
Two,
Three.
You can adjust this count to a pace that is comfortable for you.
If your mind starts to shift to other thoughts,
Simply return your attention to counting your breath.
Continue to count as you breathe in and out for the next few moments.
Now,
Think of one positive thing in your life.
It could be as simple as the food you had for breakfast,
The laugh of a child or a friend,
The promise of a sunny day.
Let yourself breathe into these positive feelings.
Each day we will encounter challenges and situations beyond our control.
By taking a few moments to breathe and bringing our attention to something good like you've just done,
We can help keep perspective,
Give ourselves a boost,
And shift our outlook in a positive way.
Take one more deep breath.
Feel the positive feelings fill your body.
And as you exhale,
Gently open your eyes.
