Lilly blew a strand of blonde hair out of her vision. Hunched over, she sat in front of her computer. Her neck was stiff from staring at the screen for so long. A soft groan escaped her as she leaned back into her office chair. With her left hand, she supported her forehead, rubbing her temple to try to alleviate the dull throbbing of the building headache.
Work had been hell these days, not a single moment to loosen once focus and rest for a moment. No wonder that she felt like a bundle of nerves -- unable to relax even at home.
A sigh escaped her as she closed her eyes. The throbbing in her skull had gotten a bit better. Lilly really didn't know what to do about all of that stress anymore.
Her aching eyes fell on an advertising link. 'Dr. Hayley Sitwell's relaxation program -- Modern techniques for your brain to rest.' Normally, Lilly wouldn't have thought much about these ads. There were plenty of these on the web, and she never paid much attention to them, but something was different about this one. As she looked at the image of that serious woman dressed in a tastefully arranged blazer combo, for the first time today, Lilly's throbbing headache stopped.
Curiosity won over her, and she clicked the link. Immediately, she was led to a professional-looking website. The soft color scheme did wonders for her eyes already. An image of the same woman popped up on the left-hand side. "Dr. Hayley Sitwell's proven relaxation techniques can do wonders for your mental and physical health," a soft voice echoed from the computer.
The woman was talking directly into the camera. She must have recorded the video herself, but she did a good job at it. The quality was great, as well. Her voice was soft, smooth, and soothing, almost motherly in a way. "My techniques have proven highly effective and safe," she continued. The doctor's words seemed to resonate inside her head, almost like an echo of her thoughts.
"I am so sure that my relaxation program works that it is free. All I ask is that when it helped you achieve a satisfactory level of relaxation in your daily life -- that you consider supporting my work."
Lilly could hardly believe that such a professional-looking and sounding product would be available for free.
The blonde was skeptical, but the promise of relaxation made her click on the first part of the series. A file downloaded that she could open.
The same soothing voice echoed through the room. Calm the words drifted along quiet tones.
"Welcome. Today, we'll be conducting a little internal exploration--a mental adjustment, if you will."
A small smile tugged on the corner of Lilly's mouth as she listened to Dr. Sitwell.
"For a maximized effect -- I suggest to listen to this file with headphones. Pause if you are not ready." Dr. Sitwell paused, allowing Lilly to stop the recording. She did, plugging in her headphones, eager for whatever relaxation this program might provide. With the earbuds in, she pressed play once more. Immediately, she noticed the difference, the words now whispered directly into her ears, caressing her eardrums.
"Very good. It is fascinating how our brains adapt to suggestion, how consciousness can drift, shift, and reshape itself under guided focus. You may already be aware of the neural plasticity that allows belief systems and self-perception to evolve. Today, we're applying that same mechanism in a unique direction -- toward softening. Toward release. Toward bliss," The blonde could feel the tension melt away from her body as she closed her eyes.
"You're about to enter a very specific, curated headspace. One where logic relaxes, and joy rises. Where thinking slows, but feeling--mm, feeling gets brighter. I will guide you from analytical awareness -- to something softer. Simpler." The voice whispered. It seemed so clear to Lilly that she almost believed someone was standing in the room with her, talking softly in her ear.
"As we move into this mental realm, I will assist you. It's important to trust me. Letting me lead your experience is essential. Please confirm that you are willing to listen."
Lilly nodded. She couldn't help herself. The words seemed to make total sense to her, and a warmth filled her body as she submitted to the idea.
"You're feeling comfortable, safe, and warm in my care. There's no reason to worry, to question. It's a place for your mind to relax. A chance to let go. Take a deep breath in."
She followed the doctor's instructions. The air flowed down into her lungs. Her stiff body seemed to loosen up.
"Hold it, then release it slowly, letting your body go limp. Relax."
And she did. Her muscles seemed to go lax.
"Take another deep breath in. Feel your chest expand -- and let it go."
Again, her lungs were filled. Again, she felt her body relaxing. A soft groan escaped her throat.
"Good girl. Let's slow the world down. There's no need to analyze right now. No need to measure or evaluate. Your brain is taking a break--a vacation, really," the soft words echoed inside Lilly's head. The blonde listened, relaxing even further. The throbbing in her skull lessened even more, replaced by the smooth, silky voice that guided her to rest. Her thoughts began to fade as she focused on Dr. Sitwell.
"Imagine your thoughts -- becoming lighter. Imagine each neuron, each synapse -- slowing. Firing less frequently. Like -- your brain is powering down, just a little."
It was as if the woman's voice had taken on a new dimension. She felt the neurons in her head decelerate. Signals traveled less and less through her brain's pathways as if she had turned down a dial.
"Isn't that nice? You're not getting dull -- you're just -- floating. A brilliant mind, taking a soft, sweet nap."
Lilly nodded her head. This was nice. Very nice indeed.
"This is the place where relaxation starts. Where the world quiets and you -- get soft -- malleable." The woman's voice dropped a tone as she said that. A shiver traveled along the blonde's back, arching her spine in response.
"You are going deeper now. No pressure to think about what that means. Just feel it. Feel your mind -- loosening."
And the woman's words seemed to do the trick. Lilly felt her mind relaxing further, allowing the words of Dr. Sitwell to take hold and soothe her.
"It's so comfortable, to drift, to sink, to relax. To surrender. To trust me. And you're safe here, in this space of mindless calm. It's like taking off a very tight headband you didn't realize was squeezing you. Mmm -- there. That's better, huh?" She asked.
"Yes, that's better," the blonde mumbled in response. She could almost feel a phantom headband loosening around her skull, relieving her headache further.
"You're doing so, so well," the voice whispered.
A smile appeared on Lilly's face. It felt nice to receive praise like that.
