Welcome to Sleepy Shorts Short Stories for Bedtime. This podcast is brought to you
by I have a story to tell you that will help take your mind off
all of your worries and cares. Just listen and relax, then drift peacefully
into sleep. It's time to turn off the lights and snuggle into your bed.
Find your most comfortable position there. Now take a few seconds to relax
your mind. It's time to sleep. Time to rest and rejuvenate our minds
and bodies. In order to prepare our bodies for sleep, let's do a
couple of muscle relaxation and breathing exercises. I want you to inhale for account
of three, and while doing so, tighten all of your muscles and inhale
one two, three, Hold your breath, keep your muscles tense. Now
exhale to account of six. While you relax all of your muscles one two,
three, four, five six, feel your body sinking deeper into your
bed. Let's do this one more time. Take a deep three second breath
as you tighten your muscles, hold it now, relax and exhale to account
of six. Let your body sink even deeper into your bed. Now it's
time for your sleepy short Let me help you fall asleep date night. As
soon as I walk through the entryway of my house, I can feel the
weight in my shoulders shift, creating room for me to breathe. The front
door can act as a yoga instructor in that way, reminding me to loosen
up. I set my work bag down and close my eyes, taking in
a deep breath and allowing my mind to reset and focus on the evening in
front of me. I smile. I've been waiting all week for a night
to myself. I walk into my bedroom and ease out of my work clothes,
letting them fall lightly to the floor in front of me. Freed from
the constraints of my stuffy clothing, I make my way into the bathroom.
There, the plush Volua robe my mother gave me for my birthday hangs quietly
awaiting my arrival. I wrap it around my body, letting the luxuriousness of
its soft comfort enveloped me, pulling me into a deep hug. I leave
the bathroom and make my way into the kitchen, allowing my feet to make
contact with a cool wooden floor. The sound echoes softly across the open floor
plant, reminding me that I have the house to myself. To night,
a bottle of Cabernet calls my name from the wine rack, and I am
more than happy to oblige. I grab the wine key and plunge it into
the cork, allowing myself to take in the sound of the bottle's soft pop.
Tonight I am going to enjoy every moment. I tip the bottle and
gaze at the translucent red liquid splashing the end of my glass. The sweet
aroma floats gently to my nose, teasing my senses. I bring the wine
to my lips and take a sip, attempting to pinpoint the various flavors.
A burst of black cherry washes across my tongue, making way to a hint
of plum and vanilla. The wine's rich flavors make me feel completely indulged.
I place the glass back on the countertop, not wanting to enjoy too much
too fast. Tonight is about savoring. I pull a small pot out of
the cabinet and fill it with water, then place it on the stove to
begin boiling. The bag of pasta sits on the counter where I left it
this morning, waiting to be opened and prepared. Anticipation mounts as I watch
the steam rise from the pot, while imagining myself sinking into a similarly steamy
bath. Later on, the water bubbles, beckoning me to add the noodles,
which I do. I toss in a generous handful and slowly stir.
I bring the wine to my lips again. It's a perfect pairing for pennay
Ala vodka. The timer on the stove dings and I drain the pot.
The vodka sauce is smooth and creamy, and it spreads easily across the pasta
and down on to my plate. I take my seat at the kitchen table
to enjoy my dinner. The soft flicker of the candle dances across the walls,
keeping me company as I savor my meal. The wine is warm and
inviting, a perfect companion on this date night. I take my time,
enjoying every bite before moving on to the next. It isn't often that I
have the chance to live life in slow motion, paying close attention to every
moment, and I feel it is my duty to make the most of it.
After cleaning up from dinner, I walk back into the bathroom, placing
my glass of wine on the vanity. The bathtub summons me to its side,
practically begging to be filled. I plug the drain and turn on the
water. It isn't long before steam rises from the surface. A variety of
salts and essential oils perch patiently on the ledge of the tub. To night,
I simply need to rest. I select camemel and lavender and drip them
into my candled fuser, allowing them to fill the room with their calming effects.
The dead sea salts are the first addition to the steaming bath water,
followed by a cup of epsom salts. I desire to both ease the tension
in my muscles and soak up the minerals of the ocean. I mix my
salts into the bath water as it continues to rise, preparing for me to
fill it. Bubble bath provides the final touch, frothing and foaming at the
base of the water flowing from the faucet perfection. As the bubbles continue to
rise up around the edges of the water, I let the robe slip onto
the floor and I sink into the tub, finally able to enjoy the fruits
of my labor. The warm water blankets my body, releasing tension by the
inch as I sink lower and lower as I may contact with the bottom of
the tub. I lean my head back and close my eyes, taking in
the moment. I direct attention to my feet, tensing and relaxing them,
ridding them of the stress they endured from the day. Next, I move
my attention to my calves, squeezing and releasing. I continue this process,
tensing and relaxing the muscles, first in my legs, then in my torso,
my back and neck, arms and hands. Each time I release,
I imagine the stress exiting my body, leaving me more and more relaxed.
With each squeeze and release, I remain still for a few minutes, longer
enjoying each moment my body relaxes into the water. I opened my eyes and
ask Alexa to play classical piano music. Debucy fills my small bathroom with the
elegance of reverie. My chest loosens, the last thing to let go of
the anxiety that lived there all day. It is completely freeing. Each note
of the piano lulls me deeper into a state of complete relaxation, allowing me
to clear my head and reflect on the day. The quiet that surrounds me
reminds me to be thankful for an understanding spouse, one who leaves the house
every so often to enable a night like this one. The warm water that
hugs my body reminds me to be grateful for its presence and a career that
helps me keep the water running. The volor robe lying on the floor next
to me reminds me to be thankful for a giving and thoughtful family. I
take another deep breath and return my focus to the music. I hear the
last few notes of Reverie before my bathroom becomes a venue for Beethoven's Piano Sonata.
Its beauty is both captivating and mesmerizing, seducing me into a deeper state
of relaxation with each note. It reminds me to be thankful for talented musicians
who fill my home and my heart with emotions I may never quite understand.
These are the nights I live for now, a date night with myself.
I return my attention to the bath water that laps over my arms and legs.
The bubbles crackle softly, popping slowly with each movement of my body.
I'm not sure if it's the minerals in the salts, or the soothing properties
of the aromatherapy, or just the relaxing nature of warm water. But nothing
soothes my soul quite like an evening bath. I am reminded that life is
lived in the present, and in this moment, everything is sublime. I
pick up my glass of wine and draw it to my lips once more,
taking another slow sip. It reminds me of my first date of young love,
of everything that is right in the world. It reminds me to stop
and slow down, take in everything carefully before moving on. My eyes grow
heavy, signaling it's time to get out of the bath and prepare for bed.
I pull myself out of the tub and wrap the robe back around my
body. Its soft fibers envelop me in their warmth, soothing me towards a
RESTful sleep. Flannel pajamas await me at the foot of my bed, their
soft, thick material like a blanket unto themselves. I crawl into bed,
pulling the thick comforter up to my neck. I allow the piano music to
continue to play as I return my focus to my breath. As my mind
clears once again, removing any remnants of stress and frustration. I reflect on
my evening. Finally, eyes closed, I thank myself for another excellent date
night with me. Good Night,