Transitions can be difficult.
We want to feel safe,
To hold on to what we know.
Sometimes when the seasons start to change we can feel a bit apprehensive about what's to come.
Autumn can bring with it some anxiety about going back to school or work or after having a relaxing summer break.
Can we bring some of the joy and sunshine of summer with us as we take the journey towards winter?
So let's start by becoming present.
Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Feel the weight of your body resting on a chair or bed or perhaps you're seated on the ground.
Just find a place where you're really comfortable and feel the support of whatever surface you're sitting or lying on.
Bring your focus to your breath.
Take a gentle deep breath in through your nose and let it out through your mouth.
Continue to breathe at your own pace and if it's comfortable for you,
Allow yourself to feel the breath flowing in and out and bring your attention to the stomach which rises as you breathe in and falls when you breathe out.
That's great.
It might be that your mind is rushing with thoughts of all the things that you've got to do.
That's okay.
You can notice the thoughts and label them,
Thinking,
Then gently bring your focus back to your breath.
Your mind is just trying to keep you safe but by taking these five minutes to relax you'll be able to focus more effectively and efficiently on all the things that you need to get done.
So just bring your attention back to the breath again,
Breathing gently in and out.
Now,
Let's bring to mind a beautiful place in nature.
It might be a place that you've been to,
Somewhere that you love or it could be imaginary.
There are no limits.
Imagine that you're sitting under a beautiful tree.
The sun is out and the tree is providing you with shade.
Its leaves are a gorgeous green and there's a fresh and comforting fragrance of leaves and grass on the gentle breeze.
There is nothing to do.
Allow yourself to sit in the shade and enjoy the view in your mind.
What can you see?
Continue to take some deep breaths in and out and just enjoy the beautiful scene around you.
You look up at the tree.
Its green leaves are swaying gently in the breeze and you can see the blue sky through the leaves.
The warmth of the sun is softening your body,
Helping you to relax even more deeply.
It's the ideal temperature for you today.
You feel so comfortable and you allow yourself to relax a little bit more.
Remember to keep focusing on your breath,
Even as the thoughts come and go.
Now,
As you look up at the tree feeling grateful for the shade it's offered you,
You notice that the leaves are gradually starting to change colour.
From green they're gently changing into different shades of yellow,
Orange and gold.
It's happening before your eyes,
Very gently and it's a beautiful process.
Take a moment to just watch the change happening.
Now the leaves are gradually starting to fall.
The sky is still blue but the air is a little cooler.
But you still feel comfortable and relaxed on the ground underneath the tree.
Take some time to watch the leaves falling gently.
Some of the leaves fall on you and gently brush your skin.
It's a pleasant feeling and the leaves are beautiful.
If you'd like to you can choose a leaf.
Pick it up in your mind's eye and look at it carefully.
Look at the colour and the shape.
It has turned gracefully from a radiant green to a beautiful burnished golden brown.
It still has the experience and the memory of its beautiful summer but it's adapted to the new season.
Hold the leaf in your hand in your mind.
Take three gentle deep breaths.
In through your nose and out through your mouth.
Take another deep breath in and out.
You can start to bring some movement back into your body.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
Gently open your eyes and get ready to get on with your day.
