Hello, friends. Have you checked out our new channel on Apple Podcasts? Over the past few years,

Clark and I have worked hard to bring you stories and science content that entertains and

educates while helping your little ones relax and drift off to sleep.

On our new channel, you'll find ad-free episodes, bonus stories, and for the first time,

classic tales, presented just as they were meant to be heard, one chapter at a time.

It's a wonderful way to experience these timeless stories together, helping to make bedtime

a cozy, shared adventure. Look for Sleeptight Media on Apple Podcasts, and let's make bedtime the best part of the day.

Hello, friends. Welcome to our short meditation series.

This series is full of all kinds of exercises to help you relax before bed or whenever you feel the need to relax.

Maybe after school, before school, anytime really. The great thing is that

these exercises focus on what you already know how to do, breathing and using your imagination.

In this episode, we are going to use our bodies a little bit

to feel the difference between being tense and relaxed.

This will help us understand how our bodies might react when we are worried, angry, or upset.

Now, let's get started by finding a comfortable spot free from distractions. You can sit in a chair

supporting your back, or you can lay on the floor or in your bed, however you feel comfortable.

Let's start by using our imagination and our breath.

This might be familiar to some of you.

I want you to imagine that your body is like a balloon.

When you breathe in, feel your chest and sides expanding like a balloon.

When you breathe out, imagine your body filling with air.

When you breathe out, imagine your body is like a balloon, shrinking with the air being let out.

...