Sleep is so essential,
Especially when you're recovering from pregnancy and from giving birth.
And yet when you have a newborn,
It is so elusive.
Hopefully this meditation will become a tool to help bring on sleep,
Even if it is at a time or in a place that you don't usually sleep.
Before we begin,
Let's take a moment to acknowledge the time that you are taking to care for yourself.
Allow yourself to let go of everything that has happened today.
Allow yourself to feel grateful that you are here.
Focus on being right here,
Right now.
Leave everything else behind.
Your baby is asleep.
Your baby is safe.
You know you will wake if you need to,
If your baby needs you.
But for now,
It is time for you to let go.
Let go of all the things you feel like you should be doing or could be doing.
While thinking about them is normal,
Those shoulds and coulds are thoughts about the future,
Not about now.
Return your awareness to right now.
Your thoughts will begin to quiet down as you progress to a deeper state of relaxation.
Now it is time to surrender to sleep.
Start by closing your eyes.
Relax the muscles in behind your eyes.
Feel the relief as you close yourself off from the external world.
Let your head sink into the pillow.
Make yourself comfortable.
Shift your weight if you need to.
Feel yourself begin to let go.
Take a slow deep breath.
Hold it for a moment.
Then exhale slowly.
Imagining that any tensions you have are leaving your body through your breath.
Consciously relax your body,
Allowing yourself to gently drift into sleep.
Follow the sound of my voice into a deeper state of relaxation.
Focus on your breathing.
Each inhale pulls you further and further into a state of rest.
Each exhale releases tension,
Releases stress.
As you prepare to sleep,
Each part of your body is shifting into a state of deeper peace.
Your feet are relaxing.
Your ankles and legs are softening.
Your hips and lower back are releasing tension.
Your spine and shoulders are sinking down into the bed.
Any stress is draining out of your body,
Down your arms and out through your hands.
Your neck and head are comfortably relaxing.
Your mind is drifting into a state of peace.
Your thoughts are pleasant and full of light.
Your entire being is calm.
Gentle waves of calming,
Blissful light are pouring down on you,
Relaxing you and pulling you into a deeper sleep.
You are totally peaceful.
You are absolutely content.
Sleep now and dream of beautiful things.
Sleep now and when you awake,
You will feel restored,
Rejuvenated and full of peace.
Sleep now and dream of beautiful things.
Sleep now and dream of beautiful things.
Sleep now and dream of beautiful things.
