Hi, it's Michael, and welcome to settling into sleep, your quiet refuge to slip out of the day's noise and drift into nourishing rest.

I'm grateful that you pressed play today. My hope is that we can help you step away from the noise of the world and

gently find your way to sleep.

Over the next few minutes, I'll guide you with story, stillness, and gentle breath

towards the soft edge of dreams.

So, wherever you are, get comfortable, let your shoulders drop and take a nice,

deep, slow breath in, and breathe out, and let it all settle, easing you towards sleep.

I'm your host, Michael Gallion, and this is Settling into Sleep.

Take a moment to arrive.

Feel the gentle weight of your body.

Sense the support underneath you.

Notice how the air meets your skin.

And if it feels comfortable and right to do so

let your eyes softly close

there's nowhere else you need to be

there's no task clamoring for your attention

just this breath

in and out. And with every exhale, imagine

imagine releasing a small tether to wakefulness.

You don't have to tug or rush, just simply loosen.

Drift is natural to us, like clouds crossing a summer sky.

In tonight's story, we'll travel to a hidden mountain lake, where paper lanterns glide over mirrored water.

...