When you have a lot on your mind and your body is agitated it is difficult to find rest. If you experience symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression then falling asleep can be difficult and so too can staying asleep. While sleeping 7-8 hours is important, what is more important is the quality of that sleep. So how do you find rest? What happens if you awake in the middle of the night and can’t go back to sleep because thoughts are racing?

In this guided meditation you can return to this practice if you need to fall asleep, to prepare for your sleep, or simply to return to sleep.

Start laying down in your bed and find comfort there. Take a deep breath and settle your body as softly into your bed. With your eyes closed notice the sensation of what it feels like to be comfortable. Do you notice the texture of your pillow resting against your head, the softness, the cloud like support you receive? Now bring attention to the covers are they over you or nestled softly under you?

Begin to deepen your breathing allowing soft inhales to fill into your nostrils completely filling into your body and expanding all areas. As you exhale slowly out of your nose imagine releasing whatever thoughts you are clinging to. With each inhale allow the energy of positivity to radiate lightness into your body. With each exhale imagine the darkness of the night covering you peacefully. Every inhale allows your body to find softness and every exhale allows you to surrender completely.