Hey,
It's Doug.
By now you have navigated yourself into a charging bay.
You have hooked up the car and now you just have to wait.
But waiting doesn't have to be boring.
In fact,
Not only can it be enjoyable,
But it can also be useful.
Let me show you how.
Choose the best seat and most comfy seat in your car.
Now I would suggest avoiding the driver's seat if at all possible.
That's just because in the driving seat there's an association with being alert and in this seat that you're going to find yourself and I want you to be relaxed.
So the main message,
Just find a seat and make it as comfortable and relaxed as possible.
You can take a few moments to do that now.
Okay,
All set?
If not,
Just press pause and join me when you are.
Close the eyes and begin to breathe in and out through those nostrils.
From this lovely relaxed place,
I want you to bring some attention to your eyes.
No need to open them.
Just give them some attention.
Notice how they feel behind your eyelids.
Kind of a weird sensation,
Right?
Now just as you're resting your attention on these eyes,
I want you to remark on how they have been vigilantly watching the road,
Taking in information,
Noticing the dangers,
The other cars,
Everything that lays out in front of you on that road.
Inhale and thank those eyes.
Exhale,
Let those eyes soften behind the eyelids.
Inhale,
Once again,
Thank your eyes.
And as you exhale,
See if you can relax them even more.
On the next inhale,
Thank those eyes one last time.
And then as you exhale,
Permit them to switch off completely.
Now shift your attention to that brain of yours.
That thing that has been on high alert since you've been driving.
That thing that has been processing all the information your eyes have been giving it.
Deciding what route to take,
How warm the car should be,
And also remembering the words to your favorite song.
Your brain has been on overdrive.
Keeping you safe,
On course,
Comfortable and happy.
Inhale now and thank your brain.
Exhale,
Imagine your brain softening.
Inhale,
Once again,
Bring some gratitude to this brain.
Then as you exhale,
Totally relax your brain.
Inhale,
Last time,
Thank that brain of yours.
And as you exhale,
Permit that brain to totally switch off.
Begin to notice now your neck and shoulders.
The areas that have been holding up your head as those eyes of yours watch the road.
See if you can now just thank these areas for their hard work on an inhale.
And as you exhale,
Can you soften your neck and shoulders.
On an inhale,
Thanking them for all they've done.
And on an exhale,
Just relaxing them.
On an inhale,
Bringing gratitude to your neck and shoulders.
And on an exhale,
Letting them get heavy.
Begin to feel your arms and hands now.
The areas that control the car with a steady and strong grip.
You know the deal.
As you inhale,
Bring some thanks to these strong limbs.
As you exhale,
Let them soften.
As you inhale,
Bring gratitude to these parts of your body.
And as you exhale,
Give them permission to relax.
One last time,
As you inhale,
Thank your arms and hands.
And as you exhale,
Let them too get heavy.
Bring your awareness now to your lower back and to your abs.
These areas that keep you upright and stable while you drive that car.
Inhale,
And thank the supporting structure.
As you exhale,
Let them both soften.
Inhale,
Bring some gratitude to your abs and your lower back.
And as you exhale,
Let them totally relax.
Inhale,
Thank your back and core one last time.
And as you exhale,
Let them both get heavy and soft.
Bring your attention further down the body now.
Focusing on your legs and feet.
These are limbs that maintain speed,
Break when necessary,
And even tap along to your favorite song.
Inhale,
And thank these hard working limbs.
Exhale,
Let them soften.
Inhale,
Bring gratitude to this lower part of your body.
And as you exhale,
Let them totally relax.
Inhale,
And thank your legs and feet for the last time.
Then exhale,
And let them get heavy.
Feel your body totally relaxed now.
All muscles switched off,
Fully supported by your chosen seat.
But see if you can get even more relaxed with each exhale.
Each exhale,
See if you can get even heavier.
Each exhale,
See if you can feel yourself melting into the seat below you.
Each exhale,
See if you can blur the lines between where your body ends and your seat begins.
Each exhale,
See if you can sink further into relaxation.
Come to enjoy this calmness you have created.
Just noticing the gentle inhales,
And gentle exhales.
Each breath making you feel more calm,
More relaxed.
Each breath reminding you,
You have nowhere to be,
And nothing to do.
Feel free to drift off to sleep,
To enjoy the music,
And be still.
Concerning yourself only with the breath,
And how that body feels.
Totally switched off,
Totally relaxed.
Giving in fully to the relaxation,
Indulging in this feeling of rest.
If you feel the mind wander at all,
Simply bring it back to focusing on the breath,
The warmth,
And the relaxation.
Slowly bring some awareness back into that body of yours.
Noticing how the toes and the fingers feel first,
Bringing a bit of life to them.
Now into the wrists and the ankles,
Rotating them.
Begin to move the arms and the legs slowly,
In any direction you choose.
And when you're ready,
Slowly blink those eyes open.
Enjoy for a moment this feeling of relaxation,
This feeling of being recharged.
Ready now for the rest of your journey.
Drive safe,
And take as many rests as you need.
If you enjoyed this and would like to try some more mindful training out while you're driving,
Check out my mindful driving session.
It's a good one.
Safe journey,
See you soon.
