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Series: Breathe to Sleep

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Listen
In bed, to let your breath guide you into sleep.
Technique
4-7-8 breathing: Breathe in for 4, hold for 7, out for 8, just a few rounds.
Go further
Breathe with the visual guide (4-7-8, box)

Who is this session for?

This session is designed for anyone who struggles to quiet a racing mind at the end of a busy day. It is perfect to listen to right as you get into bed, when you need a gentle and comforting transition into peaceful rest.

How does it unfold?

  1. at the startSettling InThe guidance helps you get comfortable, feel the secure support of your mattress, and prepare to let go.
  2. around 1 min4-7-8 BreathingYou follow a gentle counting breath rhythm to naturally release tension without any effort.
  3. around 4 minSinking DeeperYour mattress slowly transforms in your mind into a thick, soft cloud that molds perfectly to your body.
  4. around 6 minThe Evening CloudYou float peacefully through a twilight sky, watching any lingering thoughts drift away in the mild evening air.
  5. around 10 minAnchoring CalmThe softness of your pillow becomes a gentle reminder, helping your body let go faster each time you listen.
  6. around 11 minDrifting to SleepThe words become sparse and slowly fade into silence, allowing you to slip effortlessly into a deep slumber.

Why does it help you sleep?

The 4-7-8 breathing rhythm acts as a gentle anchor for your nervous system, helping to slow your heart rate and release physical tension. By focusing your attention on the counting and the vivid imagery of the floating cloud, your mind smoothly shifts away from daily worries. This combination of breathwork and sensory visualization creates a comforting environment that invites sleep to come naturally.

How to listen

Listen at a low volume while lying comfortably in your favorite sleeping position. You are completely free to drift off whenever you feel ready, even long before the journey ends.

Session published on · a site run by Stéphane H., founder of Alcyonia · description written on

Music: By the River, Alan Frijns.

Listen somewhere calm, never while driving. This relaxation session does not replace the advice of a doctor or health professional.

Read the session script

Welcome to this moment of rest… Everyone knows how good it feels to finally rest your head at the end of the day… Take all the time you need to settle in comfortably… feeling the mattress beneath you… completely supporting your weight.

You might notice your eyes becoming heavy now, or perhaps in just a few moments… and that is perfectly fine. You are in complete control… and if anything needs your attention tonight, you will be fully present immediately.

Tonight, we are going to use a gentle rhythm to guide your body into deep relaxation… without any effort. If the counting ever feels too long, just follow your own comfortable rhythm… there is nothing to achieve here.

Let's begin by breathing in quietly through your nose for a count of four… one… two… three… four…

Now simply hold that breath gently without any forcing at all for seven… two… three… four… five… six… seven…

And exhale completely through your mouth with a soft sound for a count of eight… three… four… five… six… seven… eight…

Inhale again deeply and smoothly, filling your lungs completely with fresh air for four… one… two… three… four…

Hold that breath comfortably in your chest, letting the stillness settle for seven… three… four… five… six… seven…

Release the air slowly and completely, letting all the tension drift away for eight… four… five… six… seven… eight…

One last time, breathe in slowly and peacefully, gathering a quiet sense of calm for four… two… three… four…

Hold the air gently and effortlessly, like a delicate and peaceful pause in time for seven… four… five… six… seven…

Exhale with a long soft sigh, letting your body sink deeper into the bed for eight… five… six… seven… eight…

When you feel your breathing settle into its own natural rhythm… you can just allow yourself to fully let go. You have nothing left to do.

With every long exhale, you drift a little deeper into relaxation. The heavier your body rests… the lighter your mind becomes. You might notice the mattress beneath you feeling softer… almost as if it were changing… gently transforming into a thick, incredibly soft cloud.

Your back, your shoulders, and your legs sink comfortably into this cottony softness. The cloud molds perfectly to your shape… wrapping you in a warm, protective embrace. You are completely safe… carried by this vast, floating cushion.

Slowly, gently… your cloud begins to drift in the evening sky. The air around you is perfectly mild… just the right temperature against your skin. Above you, the twilight sky shifts through beautiful shades of indigo, deep violet, and midnight blue.

As you watch the peaceful evening sky… you can simply rest deeply… without doing anything at all… just letting the quiet atmosphere carry you.

If any thoughts drift into your mind, you can simply watch them float by like distant, wispy little clouds… passing gently across the horizon… without needing to hold onto them.

Your cloud glides peacefully through the starry night… without a single bump… just a smooth, infinite journey into calm. The simple sensation of your cheek resting on the pillow can become a signal… instantly bringing you back to this soft, protective cloud whenever you need it.

And every time you listen to this journey, your body will remember this calm… and let go even faster, trusting the softness of the night.

There is no need to try to sleep… if sleep comes, let it come… and if not, this deep rest is exactly what you need to recharge your energy.

Just drifting… letting the gentle motion of the soft cloud carry you deeper into the quiet night…

Floating gently through the peaceful sky… completely surrounded by the soft colors of the stars…

Completely supported and safe… resting effortlessly as the peaceful world below you sleeps…

Letting go entirely… allowing this soothing and wonderful calm to wrap around you until morning…

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