Close your eyes and picture a staircase. It can be in a forest, near the ocean, or in the clouds — a place that makes you feel calm and at ease. As you take a deep breath in, imagine yourself slowly climbing up the stairs, counting 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . . 5. Then imagine yourself slowly stepping down 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1.
Keep breathing slowly, feeling your chest rise and fall with each breath. This is a great meditation to do if your thoughts tend to bounce around before bed. Focusing on stepping up and down the stairs occupies your brain enough to quiet the mind.