Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - An Evening at the Luxury High Rise (World Sleep Day Bonus)

Starting point is 00:00:00 Get Sleepy is a production of Slumber Studios and is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and premium members. If you'd like to listen ad-free and access weekly bonus episodes, extra long stories and our entire back catalogue, you can try out premium free for 7 days by following the link in the episode notes. Now, a quick word from our sponsors. TD Direct Investing offers live support. So whether you're a newbie or a seasoned pro, you can make your investing steps count. And if you're like me and think a TFSA

Starting point is 00:00:38 stands for total fund savings adventure, maybe reach out to TD Direct Investing. adventure, maybe reach out to TD Direct Investing. In case you didn't know, our company Slumber Studios also has a sleep app called Slumber. With well over a thousand episodes, it has every type of sleep-inducing content you could possibly want, from stories, meditations, audiobooks and history, to soundscapes and music. New episodes are added each week, and you can even search by narrator and listen exclusively to episodes narrated by me, or by any of my wonderful fellow storytellers. Sombra has other unique features too, like the ability to add and adjust background sounds to create your own perfect mix. So I highly recommend you give

Starting point is 00:01:33 Slumber a try, it's available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. And as a Get Sleepy. Welcome to Get Sleepy, where we listen, we relax, and we get sleepy. My name is Thomas, and it's so lovely to have your company for this special bonus episode on Wild Sleep Day. Of course, everything we do revolves around helping all of you, our cherished listeners, to make sure you have a truly comforting place to come and rest each night, and that your sleep itself is as healthy as can be. That's why we always begin by taking some time to relax and transition into the night before our story gets going. For many of us, one of the trickiest things in the modern world is separating the busy thinking and activity of the waking day

Starting point is 00:03:07 from the opportunity of quiet restful solitude come bedtime. That's why I'm so proud to be a part of this show and so grateful that we are able to play our part in contributing towards better sleep for anyone who enjoys listening along. So, let's help you get some more good rest tonight. There are all kinds of ways to envision luxury, be it at a country estate, on an exclusive beach, or perhaps at a lofty ski chalet. This evening, you're going to enjoy the life of a city-dweller who lives far above the urban fray in a sleek high-rise condominium. Thank you to Alicia Steffan for writing this

Starting point is 00:04:09 one and to Arif, whose voice will be guiding you through our story. Let's take a moment to get settled. Lie back in a comfortable position and try to let go of the day may come and go, and it's okay to notice them, but try to detach from them without lingering for too long. Tell yourself that you have no responsibilities right now. This is the time to rest. In fact, it's your only important job for the night. Whatever those drifting thoughts might be, they can wait until tomorrow. For now, turn your attention to your breathing, inh more slowly through your mouth. Repeat that cycle again, noticing how the stress leaves your body. And when you're ready, return to your natural breathing rhythm.

Starting point is 00:06:13 Now you are ready to enjoy your luxury high-rise experience. This is where our story begins. You have returned to your condominium in the city after a busy day. As you enter the revolving door, it seals behind you, the noise of the street vanishing instantly. You always love this split second while you are neither outside nor in the lobby. It's like you are between worlds. You are unreachable. Then the cool and soothing air of the foyer opens up as you step out of your compartment in the moving door. All the hubbub and the traffic sounds you have been hearing seconds before on the sidewalk are now inaudible. The doorman nods at you with a welcoming smile as your shoes steps seem like the only sound.

Starting point is 00:08:11 It helps you to center yourself in a way. The coming evening will be about you as you unwind in your retreat from the city. Your steps across the lobby are a crossing into your favorite time of day. You continue to the elevators. Then, you push the button for the 15th floor and watch the panel that shows the progress of the elevator. You are surrounded by perfect silence as you follow the lights above your head. They illuminate one after the other as the lift slowly moves downward. Ten, nine, eight, seven.

Starting point is 00:09:18 There is a quiet chime as the elevator nears the lobby. as the elevator nears the lobby. The entire world feels suspended for a moment as you wait for the doors to slide open. You hold your breath lightly in anticipation. Then, with a light shushing sound, they part. You step inside the elevator, which is so quiet it feels like a soundproof booth. The doors slide closed again with a shh. After just a moment's pause, the elevator levitates gently, pulling you with it. This is a meditative process for you.

Starting point is 00:10:16 The ride in the elevator is always best when you get to do it alone. best when you get to do it alone. You have a sense that, with each floor you pass, you are more and more separate from the outside world. The thrum of that street-level activity pulls away as you rise into the sky. You feel happy the whole time the elevator is traveling upward, knowing your retreat awaits. The lift comes to a smooth stop at the 15teenth floor. The doors begin to slide open. They say again, and you step out into a richly carpeted hallway.

Starting point is 00:11:18 In contrast to the lobby, as you walk toward your door, you can no longer hear your own footsteps. Even though your door looks just like all the others, you know exactly which one it is. When you get there, you slide your key into the lock and turn it with a satisfying click. Then you pause ever so briefly. You love that moment because it's the sound that tells you that you are back in your own private space. As you enter your apartment, the loveliest sunlight of the late afternoon is streaming through your floor-to-ceiling windows.

Starting point is 00:12:18 The golden hour is in full effect. You look around the space with a feeling of deep satisfaction, knowing that every piece of furniture and every book or special item here was chosen by you. There is a comforting glow resting on the clean lines of the contemporary furniture and the glass table in your living room. A pair of crystal vases on your nearby kitchen counter catch the burnt orange rays, sending little prisms onto the wall. They are tiny, happy rainbows that lift your mood further.

Starting point is 00:13:17 You put down your bag and slip your shoes off. It's like another step in retiring from the day. Then you walk across your espresso-colored hardwood floors. Their satiny texture feels good under your socks. You step intentionally, stretching out your toes and the arch of your foot as you go, and connecting with the wood beneath your feet. As you cross into your bedroom, you appreciate the warm feeling that fills your living area. Although it is uncluttered, it is designed for comfort, with soothing colors and welcoming

Starting point is 00:14:12 seating arrangements. You appreciate seeing your hideaway in the gentlest light of the afternoon. On the other side of your window, the skyscrapers radiate the lazy touch of the day's end. But the best is yet to come. Once you are in your room, you've reached the inner sanctum of your home. Your favorite pair of casual shoes is waiting for you. Enjoying another floor-to-ceiling view, you sit on a padded bench near your bed. Exhaling deeply, you pause, then slip the shoes onto your feet. They are unbelievably comfortable. You gaze out the window for a moment. gaze out the window for a moment. The peace of your bedroom is enticing, but you will come back to settle in later. Right now, you want to enjoy a refreshing drink and catch the last of the daylight on

Starting point is 00:15:42 the roof deck of your building. Returning to the living area, you open a large stainless steel fridge. You feel the weight of the door as it swings gently outward, illuminating like magic. Inside, you find a perfectly organized supply of your usual beverages waiting for you in tidy rows. You feel the brisk chill from inside the refrigerator as you reach for one. Then the warmth of the sunny room envelops you as you close the door again. Holding the chosen drink in your hand, you slip your key into your pocket. It hangs there with a comforting weight. You exit your apartment, locking the door securely behind you and hearing the click again.

Starting point is 00:16:59 Then, with a sense of happy anticipation, you return to the elevators and press the button firmly. This time, you will go all the way to the top. Moments later, the doors of the elevator glide open to an extraordinary sight. of the elevator glide open to an extraordinary sight. You are now high up on the roof of your building. But this is not an ordinary roof. Rather, it is one of your home's greatest secrets. Above the building, there is a hidden oasis.

Starting point is 00:17:51 To each side, there are rows of comfortable chaise lounges facing outward for the best possible view of the city skyline. For those residents who wish to stay out of the sun, canopies are cleverly arranged over many of the chairs to provide shade. Small trees and colorful planter boxes are generously spread throughout, creating the feeling that this is a green space hovering high above the ground. In fact, you always feel that this place is like a garden in the sky. And what an elegant garden it is. Small fountains bubble amongst the lush plantings, creating a tranquil soundtrack. Each part of the rooftop deck is thoughtfully designed for relaxation.

Starting point is 00:19:06 is thoughtfully designed for relaxation. As luck would have it, at the moment, you happen to be the only person here. You walk down a row of chairs, delighting in the fact that you can choose anyone you like. As you slowly consider and then pass each one, you observe how luxurious they are. The furniture is made of wicker, and there are bright white cushions on each that look brand new. That newness adds something special. It gives you a delicious feeling that you are the first person to use them.

Starting point is 00:20:00 It makes the rooftop garden feel even more like it belongs only to you. A light breeze wafts across the chairs, rustling the nearby palms. At long last, you choose a seat that offers two stunning vistas. On one side, you choose a seat that offers two stunning vistas. On one side, the skyline rises. On the other side, the impressive river view beckons. With the city on one hand and flowing water on the other, you have the sense that you are poised between two worlds. You are transitioning from a day in the public eye to a private evening of rest.

Starting point is 00:21:01 Settling onto your chair, you lean back on the soft cushions. You reach over and set your cold drink on a nearby table. As you do, you notice how the glass tabletop holds a rosy glow. tabletop holds a rosy glow. The sun is setting, and the sky over the river is deepening to tones of orange and pink. You drift into a thoughtful state, just watching the boats that dot the water far below. There is another wall of tall apartment buildings on the opposite bank of the waterway. Sipping your refreshing drink, you imagine the people who live there, watching the sunset over the same river.

Starting point is 00:22:14 As you imagine that world across the way, you hear just a little bit of traffic noise, but it feels like an impossibly faraway place. It might as well be another planet with foreign dwellers. You think about how they must be on their roof decks, wondering about you. Smiling at the thought, you turn and look at the mirrored surfaces of the skyscrapers right next door. At this high altitude, the glass on those buildings reflect the changing color of the sky. As you watch, a few wispy clouds float by. As you watch, a few wispy clouds float by. They look as if they are inside the walls of the skyscrapers closest to you.

Starting point is 00:23:18 Those floating images are deeply relaxing. You take a very deep breath and exhale in an audible sigh. All the tension of your day flows away from you and from this place. Settling in even more, you close your eyes and feel the soft breeze, which plays gently on your upturned face. Reveling in the light warmth from the setting sun, you lean your head back. Now, if your eyes were open, you would look straight up into the sky. The sun is very low. You can just feel it somehow. You know that the stars may begin to appear soon. Soon. Slowly, you open your eyes and shield them from the sunset with your hand.

Starting point is 00:24:36 As you watch, an airplane slowly comes into view. It must be extremely high in the air. It moves ever so slowly from your perspective. A white vapor trail extends behind it. The very slow progress of the aircraft mesmerizes you. As it travels gradually across your field of vision, you find you are thinking about the people who are on the plane and wondering if they are reading books and watching movies. Perhaps they are enjoying some coffee or talking with fellow travelers. There's something liberating about being suspended above the planet like that, away from the world. You think how wonderful it is that these strangers in the air You think how wonderful it is that these strangers in the air have nowhere they have to be right now except on that journey. Meanwhile, they are passing above millions of other people on the ground

Starting point is 00:25:59 who are heading home after a busy day. heading home after a busy day. Two worlds separated by many miles of air existing in tandem. You smile, thinking how the city underneath the plane is slowing down, right now at the day's end to match the air travelers far above. However, you feel a kinship with the air travelers here on the roof deck. Like the people flying over, you want to stop moving.

Starting point is 00:26:47 You want to be in the moment. It's a very comforting idea. Then, as soundlessly as it entered your vision, the plane exits your world again. As if you are waking from a dream, you take the final sips of your cold drink. Gently sitting up in your chair, you extend your arms and stretch luxuriantly. You yawn just a tiny bit. The breeze has become a little cooler, and you see that the sun is almost done slipping below the horizon. The night lights of the city will soon be visible from your window, inside your apartment. That's an enticing idea, and it prompts you to transition from your place on the chair

Starting point is 00:28:00 to a comfortable spot back inside, downstairs. As you are strolling back to the elevator, a man appears on the roof deck and greets you quietly with a smile. He walks over to a nearby fire pit and starts it up. It will be a comfort to those who come to take the evening air. They will arrive soon, and perhaps they will see airplanes, too, drifting like dots of light across the darkness. You step into the lift and, as the doors slide silently closed, you see the flames dancing

Starting point is 00:28:56 warmly in the fire pit under the deepening twilight. Returning to your welcoming apartment, you close the door securely behind you, pausing momentarily to savor the decisive sound of the latch. Then you slip off your shoes and once again enjoy the feeling of your socks on the smooth floor. As you walk into the kitchen, you flip on a switch, casting a welcoming glow over the granite countertops. Then, you turn on another switch nearby, and a gas fireplace illuminates the living room. The hearth creates a cheerful, cozy atmosphere that always makes you feel like you're in the lap of luxury. It's one of your favorite features of the room, always surrounding you with comfort at the end of a long day.

Starting point is 00:30:17 Picking up your smartphone, you activate the sound system and choose the perfect evening music. In seconds, your favorite playlist is emanating from cleverly hidden speakers, softly permeating the room. Your dinner is something light you prepared earlier. Your dinner is something light you prepared earlier. You don't have long to wait. It is ready in just minutes. You carefully place it on a large white plate, arranging your food artfully, as if you were a chef.

Starting point is 00:31:06 You pour yourself another refreshing drink. Then, you take your plate and your beverage and sit in a comfortable armchair with the view of the windows. You set them both on a coffee table in front of you. As you sink into the embrace of the chair, the lights of your neighborhood begin to appear. There are squares of brightness in offices. There are street lights. darkness in offices. There are streetlights. There are lines of car headlights in white and in red. There are colorful signs and billboards. As you take slow bites of your dinner, you appreciate the transformation of the view.

Starting point is 00:32:08 Through the darkness, the glittering personality of the city materializes. As daytime departs, nighttime happily takes over. time happily takes over. All of this beauty shines outside your window, but you only hear silence inside. The downtown landscape is yours to enjoy, from this front row seat in the living room. You lean over to the coffee table, where you once again put your plate down and pick up a sleek magazine that's just arrived. Then you take a sip of your drink and settle into an even more comfortable position in your chair. Turning the heavy, glossy pages, you enjoy reading some short articles with artistic photos.

Starting point is 00:33:19 Seeing the lovely images and hearing these entertaining stories relaxes your mind. There is something tactile about the magazine that is always a relief after using screens out in the world. The last stresses of the day fade into the background as you are surrounded by music, peacefully turning from one article to the next. You take your time going through the magazine, reading even the smallest captions, and por pouring over the lovely photos. Now and then, you look up and gaze out the window again at the beautiful cityscape. You feel a little bit like you are inside a magazine spread yourself.

Starting point is 00:34:27 You never tire of this amazing view. You are so settled now that you have started to become drowsy. Slowly sitting up, you put the magazine back on the table. You might look at it another time, but your body is telling you that you are almost ready for a deeper rest. Once again, you stand, stretching your limbs and feeling a pleasant warmth spread to your fingertips and toes. You take your plate and your glass back to the kitchen and place them in the dishwasher. washer. Then, with everything looking perfectly clean and orderly, you feel satisfied.

Starting point is 00:35:32 Filling a water glass for yourself, you turn off the fireplace, although you leave the kitchen light on at its lowest setting for the night. you leave the kitchen light on at its lowest setting for the night. You return to your bedroom, then close your blinds for a few moments while you get ready for bed. You love this time of the evening when your apartment is all buttoned up and every item is in its place, it gives you confidence in your secret hideaway from the world. Here, you have complete control over everything. All is arranged exactly to your liking.

Starting point is 00:36:23 All is arranged exactly to your liking. When you are ready, you turn off the light and open the blinds once again. Your room is dark, except for the sparkle from outside. It feels almost like you are at a drive-in movie. You are anonymous and invisible to others in the dark. But the entire world is laid out before you. The show is dazzling. Feeling secure and ready for sleep, you slip into the crisp white sheets on your soft bed. You breathe in, and out, and relax even more.

Starting point is 00:37:27 A sense of peace spreads over you. As your breathing slows, you turn on your side to gaze out the window. You see the lights from boats traveling at different speeds on the river. Like the trail of the airplane across the sky, their progress is very calming. Meanwhile, traffic flows up the avenue that borders the water. It is a little bit like a tranquil current that mirrors the river. Those people are making progress, too, at their own speed. Knowing that everyone is on their own track, moving at their own pace, is somehow reassuring. But you don't need to go anywhere. You can feel your eyelids growing heavy, so you give in to that transition and let your

Starting point is 00:38:54 eyes close. Now, you are ready to rest for a while. You can let your body guide you into sleep. Ever so faintly, you hear the sounds of the city. They keep you company. As you close your lids, you can still see the airplanes, the boats, and the cars in your mind's eye. But here in your hidden place, you feel a deep sense of well-being. You are snug in your and your thoughts are wandering.

Starting point is 00:40:10 You can feel gravity pulling you downward into your bed, and your mind feels peaceful. The pillowcase is silky and cool on your cheek, and your neck is relaxed and supported. A reassuring warmth spreads throughout your body, and bit by bit, almost imperceptibly, your thoughts clear from your mind. As if watching yourself from afar, you feel yourself letting go of wakefulness. While you drift off to dreamland, your urban landscape becomes a backdrop to your dreams. You will rest and recharge while life in the city goes on outside these walls. And in the morning, you will rejoin it with fresh energy. But right now, you will slumber peacefully in your beautiful luxury high-rise apartment. You You You You You You You You You You You I'm going to go ahead and start the video.. You You. You You You You You you

Get Sleepy: Sleep meditation and stories - An Evening at the Luxury High Rise (World Sleep Day Bonus)

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