Some nights your body won't let go.
Even when you're exhausted.
Part of you stays on Listening watch.
for the next noise.
Let's help that part stand down.
Slowly.
There's no rush tonight.
Before you close your eyes...
let them wander around the Nice room.
and slow.
Find the Is door.
it closed?
Good.
Find the corners of the ceiling.
The shape of the dresser.
A little line of light under the Let door.
your head turn with your eyes.
Take your time with it.
Everything is where you left it.
Nothing is moving.
Your body likes to check.
You just let it.
Listen, too.
Rain in the gutters.
Maybe the heat ticking on.
Ordinary sounds.
The sounds of a house at night.
Now let your eyes close.
For the next six minutes...
you don't have to keep watch.
All day, you stayed alert.
Merging on the highway.
Reading faces in a meeting.
Maybe someone raised their voice today.
Or a door slammed somewhere.
Your body noticed, even if you didn't.
That alert feeling can linger.
In the shoulders, up near the ears.
Or a stomach that won't
unclench.
Just notice where it's sitting.
No need to push it out.
You can tell it, kindly...
thank you.
I'm home now.
Let your shoulders lower.
Just a quarter inch.
Let your hands open a little.
Let your eyes rest heavy...
sinking back in their sockets.
Breathe in through your nose.
And let the breath out slowly.
Longer than it came in.
Once more.
In...
And a long, slow breath out.
Like the sigh after shoes come off.
Now let's give your body something it knows.
The feeling of being held.
Cross your arms over your chest.
Hands resting near your shoulders.
Like a hug from the front.
Or rest one hand on your cheek.
Warm palm against your face.
Whichever feels more like you.
Feel the warmth of your own hands.
They know you better than anyone.
Let a little pressure in.
Gentle.
Like someone who cares tucking you in.
Now breathe in...
And breathe out slowly...
into your own arms.
If your hands are on your shoulders...
you can pat them softly.
Left...
then right.
Slow.
Like a heartbeat winding down.
In again...
And out...
letting the arms hold a little more.
You don't have to hold yourself together.
Your arms are doing it for you.
Let your chest soften under them.
Let your jaw go loose.
This is you, looking after you.
Maybe it feels a little silly.
Hugging yourself in the dark.
That's okay.
Kids know how to do We this.
just forget.
Stay inside that hold.
As long as it feels good.
If your arms want to slide down...
let them.
The feeling stays.
The rain is steady outside.
Soft and even.
The walls are around The you.
blanket is over you.
Nothing needs watching now.
The part of you that kept guard...
it can sit down.
It did a good job today.
Breathing in...
And out...
You're held tonight.
By the bed.
By your own two arms.
The watch is over.
Let sleep come in.
Goodnight.