Persistent pain narrows attention until it fills the field. This NSDR practice does not ask you to ignore the sensation, but widens awareness to include the parts of you that are at ease, changing how the brain weights the signal. Rest becomes possible alongside the pain, not after it.
And start your morning with Optimal Living Daily!
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[00:00:01] Welcome to NSDR, the Non-Sleep Deep Rest Podcast, your guide to achieving deep relaxation without slipping into sleep. In this session, we will explore calming breath work, progressive muscle relaxation, and a unique visualization journey to help you achieve profound relaxation and revitalization. To start out, ensure that you're in a quiet, comfortable space where you won't be disturbed.
[00:00:28] Lie flat on your back with a cushion under your knees and a small pillow under your head. Allow your arms to rest by your sides, with palms facing upward. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, and feel your body start to relax. With each exhale, let go of any tensions or worries, trusting in the support beneath you.
[00:00:58] Inhale deeply, filling your lungs with air. And exhale with a sigh, releasing all the air out. Repeat this a few more times, each breath taking you deeper into relaxation. Feel a sense of peace and tranquility in your heart.
[00:01:28] Now, silently set an intention for your practice. It could be a feeling or a state of being you wish to achieve. Repeat this intention three times in your mind. Next, bring your attention to your face.
[00:01:53] With your next exhale, allow all expressions to drop from your face. Relax the tiny muscles around your eyes and let your eyeballs rest back in their sockets. Soften the tiny muscles around your mouth, the cheeks, and let the jaw gently open.
[00:02:22] Feel the scalp resting on the skull and the neck, easing any tension. Now, bring your entire body into awareness. Feel your body into an inner stillness. Feel your body into a sense of the presence of sensation. Embrace the present moment, experiencing sensations without judgment or mental commentary.
[00:02:48] Maintain this inner stillness as you adjust your body comfortably, ensuring you remain awake and aware. Shift your focus to your breath. Feel the air moving in and out of your nostrils, filling your lungs naturally. As you exhale, create a soft ocean-like sound by gently contracting the back of your throat.
[00:03:13] Let your inhalations be natural, and your exhalations slow and extended, calming the mind and body further. We will now begin a journey through the body. Focus on each part, as I name it, without movement, simply by placing your awareness. Start at the crown of your head.
[00:03:40] Move to the forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks, and mouth. Move down to the throat.
[00:04:11] Right shoulder, right arm, right hand, and fingers. Move back to the throat.
[00:04:37] Left shoulder, left arm, left hand, and fingers. Now move to the chest.
[00:05:03] Upper abdomen, navel, lower abdomen. Move to the pelvis.
[00:05:24] Right hip, right leg, right foot, and toes. Move back to the pelvis.
[00:05:49] Left hip, left leg, left foot, and toes. Bring your attention to the base of the spine at the perineum. Feel this area begin to glow and pulse.
[00:06:16] Reversing any downward energies upward through the spine. Move your attention below the belly button, visualizing energy nourishing your body. Then continue upward. Behind the stomach at the solar plexus. Filling with strength and vitality. The heart center. Glowing with healing and love. The throat.
[00:06:46] Clearing communication barriers. The third eye. Pulsing with deep inner peace. The crown of the head. The wind. Visualize a thousand-petal lotus, representing complete unity and enlightenment. Imagine yourself walking through a beautiful, tranquil garden.
[00:07:13] The air is fragrant with the scent of blooming flowers, and the gentle sound of a bubbling fountain fills the air. Visualize the vibrant colors of the flowers and the lush greenery surrounding you. Hear the gentle buzz of bees and the chirping of birds. As you walk, find a comfortable bench near the fountain to sit and rest. Feel the cool stone beneath you, and the warmth of the sun on your skin.
[00:07:44] Close your eyes now, and listen to the soothing sounds of the garden. Allowing them to bring you deeper into relaxation. As you sit in the garden, focus on those gentle sounds of nature. Let them carry away any remaining tension or stress. Imagine the peaceful environment aligning with your breath. In with calmness. Out with tension.
[00:08:19] Return your focus to your intention set at the beginning. Repeat it silently, letting its positive energy flow. Fill your entire being. Begin to bring your awareness back to the present moment. Notice the sounds in the room. The temperature. And the surface beneath you. Gently wiggle your fingers and toes.
[00:08:51] And when you're ready, roll to your right side in a fetal position, and take a moment here. When you feel ready, gently sit up with your eyes closed. Carrying the peace and contentment back with you. End your practice by bringing your hands in prayer position in front of your heart, feeling grateful for the practice.
[00:09:20] Slowly open your eyes when you're ready. Thank you for joining this journey into non-sleep, deep rest. You can return to the NSDR podcast anytime you need a pause or a reset. I look forward to guiding you again, helping you find peace, relaxation, and rejuvenation whenever you need it.