Hey there, welcome to Sleep Soundly. I'm so glad you've carved out this moment for yourself today. I know mornings can feel overwhelming - maybe you're already feeling the weight of emails, meetings, or personal challenges swirling around in your mind. Today, I want to offer you a gentle pause, a soft landing place where you can reset and breathe.

Let's begin by finding a comfortable position. Whether you're sitting or lying down, allow your body to feel supported. Close your eyes if that feels comfortable, and take a deep breath in through your nose, feeling your chest and belly expand, then slowly release through your mouth. Another breath - drawing in calm, releasing tension.

I want to introduce you to what I call the "River of Thoughts" meditation. Imagine you're sitting beside a peaceful river. Your thoughts are like leaves floating on the water's surface - some drift slowly, some move quickly, some get caught momentarily on branches. Your job isn't to stop the leaves, but simply to observe them without judgment.

Notice each thought as it appears, watching it drift downstream. A work concern might float by - don't grab it, just watch it move. A worry about tonight's sleep might surface - again, just observe. Let each thought pass without engaging, without telling a story around it. You're the peaceful riverbank, steady and calm, watching thoughts move naturally.

Your breath remains your anchor. Soft, steady inhales and exhales. When you notice your mind following a thought, gently bring your attention back to the rhythmic movement of the river, back to your breath.

As we prepare to complete this practice, take a moment to appreciate yourself. You've created space for stillness in a busy world. Carry this sense of gentle observation with you today - remembering you can always return to your breath, to this riverbank of calm.

Thank you for joining Sleep Soundly today. If this practice resonated with you, please subscribe and share with someone who might need a moment of peace. Until next time, breathe easy.