Find a comfortable position where your body can begin to relax,
Allow your shoulders to soften.
If it feels comfortable,
Gently close your eyes,
Take a slow breath in through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth.
Again,
Inhale gently and exhale fully.
Many people move through life feeling as though they must constantly be doing something,
Achieving,
Producing,
Solving problems,
But the nervous system was not designed to remain in constant effort.
It also needs moments of rest.
Right now,
This moment is simply an opportunity to pause.
Take another slow breath in and allow the exhale to be slightly longer than the inhale.
With each breath out,
Allow your body to soften.
Bring awareness to your feet,
Allow them to relax.
Now bring your awareness to your legs,
Let the muscles soften.
Now bring awareness to your shoulders,
Allow them to drop.
There is nothing you need to carry right now.
Now bring awareness to your forehead,
Allow the muscles of your face to soften.
Let your jaw relax,
Let your breath move naturally.
Your nervous system does not need to remain alert.
It is allowed to slow down.
It is allowed to rest.
Take another slow breath in and exhale slowly.
If thoughts appear about things you should be doing,
Simply notice them and gently return your attention to the breath.
This moment of rest is not wasted time.
It is how the body restores balance.
It is how the nervous system resets.
Take a few more slow breaths.
Breathing in calm,
Breathing out pressure.
Breathing in softness.
Breathing out effort.
Allow yourself to simply be here.
Nothing to prove,
Nothing to achieve,
Just breathing.
Now begin to bring your awareness back to your surroundings.
Notice the space around you,
Notice the support beneath your body.
Gently wiggle your fingers or toes.
And when you're ready,
Slowly open your eyes.
Carry this sense of rest with you.
Remember that your nervous system deserves moments of pause.
If this practice helped you feel a little more grounded,
You're welcome to follow me here on Insight Timer for more nervous system regulation practices.
Namaste.
