Guided Relaxation- Sitting in the Shade

Transcript

Today's audio is going to be something a little bit different. It will be safe for work, but it's something I have not done in quite some time, at least not publicly like this. If you've been following me for a while, you may remember a TikTok video, it may have been a series of TikTok videos, where we were talking about our happy place.

And we did a few visualization exercises based around that. And I would like to take you through one of those today. It was helpful for me then, I'm hoping it's helpful for me now, and for you as well.

It's Tuesday for me, yesterday was a very Monday Monday, so I'm hoping that this gets our feedback on the right track for the week. What do you say? Join me? Great.

Let's get started. First things first. Close your eyes.

Now, where are we? Excellent question. We are sitting on a bench beside the trail we've been walking under the shade of a big tree that overlooks a cliff and sprawling fields below.

The sun is up, it's high, it's on its way back down, but it's not giving us any trouble. It's been an hour or so of walking and it's time to sit back for a few minutes. We've earned this little rest and the view that comes with it.

From where we're sitting you can see out over a few farm buildings and an orchard or two. They're small and far away, with only a few scant details available. Spring is finally here.

The greenery extends to the horizon, all of it coming out of a long winter's sleep. The wind picks up until the leaves in our tree are all rustling and swaying, delighted to be taking in the afternoon sun. As they move, little dots of light peek through onto your face.

It's warm for a second on your cheeks before being covered again by the cool spring shade. From far off there's a sound like a highway, but softer and more steady. It's the wind again, visiting all the other trees that we can see and playing in the hills below.

There are a couple of birds above us, piping and chirping, no doubt enjoying the sunshine as well. There's a sweet scent in the air, honeysuckle perhaps? It gets carried under our noses and then whisked off, leaving just the aroma of the grass around.

It's a fresh, clean smell, the kind you can only find away from streets and cars and factories. Here it smells like the earth is alive, and our skyline is trees atop rolling hills, to be enjoyed just the way they are. Slowly the sun continues to climb down out of the sky and the shadows lengthen.

We've enjoyed our walk and our time sitting together, but it's time now to get home. Before we start our descent, let's take a couple of deep breaths, shall we? Keep your eyes closed.

In through your nose, out through your mouth. You and I are sitting on the side of that hill, looking out over the valley, taking a deep breath in and out. As the wind blows and the birds chirp, taking a breath in and out.

Feel the warm sun on your skin, in and out. And now my hand grabbing yours, pulling you up into an embrace, in and out.