Welcome back, friend. I'm Julia, and I'm so glad you're here with me today. You know, as we're heading into the quieter part of the year, so many of us are feeling that unique restlessness that comes when the holidays have wound down. There's this strange, almost electric energy hanging around, isn't there? Like our minds are still buzzing even though everything's slowing down. If you've been staring at the ceiling lately, or waking up at three in the morning with your thoughts doing laps, you're not alone. Today, we're going to work with that together.

So let's start by getting comfortable. Find a place where you can sit or lie down, somewhere that feels like it's giving you a little hug. Settle in. If you're lying in bed, even better. Now, gently close your eyes, or soften your gaze if that feels better. Let's take a deep breath in through your nose, nice and slow, and out through your mouth. Again, in through the nose, and out. One more time. Good.

Here's what I want you to do now, and I love this one because it actually works. We're going to practice what I call the body scan with a twist. I want you to imagine a warm light, like honey, starting at the crown of your head. This light is heavy and warm, like it's made of pure relaxation. As you breathe, imagine it slowly, gently flowing down. It melts through your forehead, releasing any tension you've been holding there. Down through your eyes, your cheeks, your jaw. So many of us clench our jaws when we're winding down. Let that light soften it all.

Keep moving this golden warmth down your neck, your shoulders, all those places we store our worry. It flows down your arms like honey poured over warm toast, all the way to your fingertips. Now your chest, that sacred space where your heart lives. Let the light rest there for a moment. It's okay to be held. Down through your belly, your back, your hips. All the way down your legs, your thighs, your shins, your feet. By the time that light reaches your toes, your whole body feels like it's sinking, like you're becoming part of the earth itself.

Stay here for a moment, just breathing. You're safe. You're exactly where you need to be.

As you return to your day, carry this warmth with you. When you feel that restlessness creeping back in, remember you can call this light back anytime.

Thank you so much for joining me on Sleep Soundly: Daily Mindfulness Exercises for Better Rest. Your presence here matters. Please subscribe so we can journey through better sleep together.

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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI