Hey there, I'm Julia Cartwright, and I'm so glad you're here. Whether you're starting your Sunday morning or sneaking in a quick reset between meetings, you've made a choice that matters. Today is May third, and I'm willing to bet there's something on your plate that feels a little heavier than you'd like. Maybe it's a big conversation you need to have, or maybe it's just that low-grade hum of anxiety that never quite leaves. So let's spend the next five minutes together, and I promise we'll make some space for calm.Let's start by finding a comfortable seat, somewhere you won't be interrupted. You can be on a couch, at a desk, or even in your car. No judgments here. Go ahead and settle in, feet flat on the floor if that works for you, or however feels good. Roll your shoulders back a couple of times. There we go.Now, let's anchor ourselves with the breath. Breathe in through your nose for a count of four. Feel that cool air coming in. Hold it for a moment. And exhale slowly, like you're blowing out birthday candles, not rushing it. Let's do that again. In for four, and out for six or seven. Notice how your exhale is a little longer? That's the magic. Your nervous system actually loves that. Keep breathing like this, nice and easy.Now, I want you to imagine your stress as clouds passing through a big open sky. You're not trying to push them away or pretend they're not there. You're just noticing them. See that cloud? Yeah, that's the thing you're worried about. Let it drift. Watch it float by. Here comes another one. Maybe it's darker, maybe it's shaped like something specific. That's okay. There's a practice we call noting, and it's simple: you're just naming what you see without getting tangled up in it. Worried thought? Notice it. Body tension? Acknowledge it. Your to-do list? Wave at it and let it pass.Keep breathing. In and out. The sky always returns to itself, doesn't it? No matter how many clouds come through, the sky is always there underneath.As we wrap up here, bring your awareness back to your body. Feel your feet. Feel the seat beneath you. You're here. You're safe. And you've just given yourself an incredible gift of five minutes. That's enough. More than enough.Here's what I want you to carry forward today: the next time you feel that stress creeping up, remember you're the sky, not the clouds. Just notice and let them pass.Thank you so much for joining me on Daily Mindfulness. Five-Minute Meditations for Stress Relief. Please subscribe so we can do this together again tomorrow.For great deals today, check out https://amzn.to/47ZqpWTThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AIThis episode includes AI-generated content.

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