Welcome to get sleepy. The podcast where we listen, we relax and we get sleepy. As always, my name is Thomas and I'm your host. Thank you for tuning in. In tonight's story, we'll go for a relaxing stroll on the beach at low tide to search for shells and sea creatures in the rock pools. And after that, there will be nothing to do but lay back, relax and watch the waves come in. Tomorrow, in our exclusive episode on Get Sleepy Premium, Elizabeth will be reading a story about a country mouse who goes to visit her cousin in the city.

It's a story of friendship, adventure and gratitude, and it's one I'm sure you'll really enjoy if you'd like to hear that and get all of the other benefits of being a premium member, like add free access to our entire catalog, 30 percent discount on merchandise and of course, our eternal love and gratitude then simply go to get sleepy dot com slash support or just follow the link in the show notes to learn more. You'll even be able to try it for free for the first seven days to make sure you love get sleepy premium.

Now, a quick thank you goes out to our sponsor tonight, better help. It's wonderful that you're trying to take care of your sleep, which I know because you're here listening to me. But it's of equal importance to me that you give your all round mental health that same due care and attention. Sometimes we all need some extra support, a person to talk to and help us process whatever we're feeling. So next time you're online, go to better help dot com slash, get sleepy and take a lot better.

Help will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist. They're committed to facilitating great therapeutic matches, so they make it easy and free of charge to change counselors if needed, it's more affordable than traditional offline counseling. Plus, you can do it all from the comfort of your own home. Better help wants you to start living a happier life today. Visit better help dot com slash get sleep. That's better. H e l p.

And you'll receive ten percent of your first month. You'll be joining over one million people taking charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional. And remember, all that sleepy listeners will receive 10 percent off your first month, have better help, dot com slash, get sleepy. So let's slow things down and prepare for tonight's story now. With a few simple steps to help you unwind and feel ready for sleep. You can follow along as I guide you through a short, simple relaxation.

But nothing is compulsory, so if you draw the wind down in your own way, that's absolutely fine. Just allow these next few minutes to be your time to do just that. For many people, myself included, focusing on the breath initially is the best way to center your mind and body and to just bring your awareness to the here and now. So take a few deep breaths. Finding a place that is just slow enough that you feel a gradual easing with the check, exhale.

And really enjoy that feeling of an. Flowing in and back out. Bringing the wavelike motion of rise and fall. In your body. And inevitably, the mind will still try to pull you away and thoughts will come and go. And that's acceptable and completely normal, but if you're feeling frustrated or disrupted by that mind activity, just try to bring your awareness back to the here and now.

And something that I find helps me in these moments is to simply say to myself. I'm happy where I am. And as I am. So just try repeating that in yourself a few times, sensing the comfort and tranquility. Of the space around you. I'm happy where I am and as I am. Right here. And just notice how it feels to accept and be content for your situation right now. Laying in bed with your body supported by the mattress.

Your head sinking into the pillow. It's so simple. And doesn't require any complex thought. But it's a pretty idyllic spot to be in right now. So just remind yourself whenever your thoughts wander and cause any fret or anxiety. I am happy where I am and as I am right here and now. So I hope that just helps you feel more at ease tonight. And as you continue to breathe. Maybe just back in your natural rhythm now. Continue to sense the wavelike emotion in your body.

And with that wavelike commotion. Start to visualize the vast blue ocean. That extends to the horizon. As you watch the waves wash in and out, you feel at peace. And even when you close your eyes, there's the soothing sound of the Tigard. Coming in. And flowing out again. It's almost hypnotic. It makes you more aware of your own breathing. And the rhythms of your body. And it brings with it a sense of absolute calm.

We begin our story. Standing at the top of a flight of steps that leads to the beach, the deep blue ocean stretches out before you. Even from up here, you can smell that unmistakable scent of fresh, salty air. It entices you down to explore the vast expanse of sand and rock below. As you slowly descend the stone steps, you're aware of every movement your body makes. You notice even the tiniest sensations. You feel the solid ground beneath your feet.

And the smooth wooden railing sliding under your hand. This is the beach you've been dreaming of, a sweeping stretch of golden sand as far as the eye can see. And the shimmering expanse of dark blue ocean. Looking to one side, you can see the dramatic rocky slope behind the beach where trees and vegetation tumble down all the way to the sand, this wall of rock and greenery curves gently around, creating a wide secluded cove. Whatever time of day you come here, it always feels tranquil, hidden away from the rest of the world.

This is a special beach where you come to have some peace and quiet, a little time to yourself. In this place, you find it's enough just to be immersed in the fresh CSI. One deep breath in and you feel a sense of calm wash over, you like the tide. You reach the end of the stands and decide to take off your shoes. You slip them into your bag and relish the feeling of being more connected to the nature around you.

It's a wonderful sensation, your toes sinking into the soft, warm sand. Walking barefoot makes you feel light and free. You close your eyes for a moment and focus on your other senses as you slowly traverse the beach. There's time to take in every feeling. From the warmth of the sun on your face to the powdery ground under the soles of your feet. And as you walk, you fill the sand, get firmer and heavier beneath you. You've come to the edge of dry land and now in the space where the water reaches that low tide.

Though the beach feels vast, almost endless, the waves are gradually getting closer, making their way slowly towards you. This place is beautiful at any time of day. But you prefer coming here when the tide is low. Turning left and walking on your head to the rocky end of the beach, a curving expanse of stones and shallow rock pools. This is what you've come to see today. You slip on a pair of comfortable, waterproof shoes, perfect for navigating this terrain.

By climbing carefully between them, you can get a closer look at the plants and marine life that are visible only when the tide is low. You make your way to the nearest pool, a small crater among the rocks filled with transparent water that glistens in the sunlight. You crouched down beside it to get a glimpse of what lies beneath the surface. It's like a little wound of its own, a colorful round of pebbles and plants which grow among the rocks.

Between the patches of flora, you can just about make out some little silverfish darting about. You've read about some of the plants that grow in these tide pools, and you can even identify a few by site. The unusual seaweed that looks like strings of pale green grapes is called Neptune's necklace. Like many of the plants and creatures that live in the rock pools, their seaweed is strong, resilient and amazingly adaptable. It thrives in these conditions, getting all the light and water that it needs to live.

It also provides food and shelter for some of the fish and small crustaceans that live here. Looking closer, you spot some thin pink tendrils emerging from the forest of Algate. At first glance, it could be mistaken for a plant. But it's actually a living creature, a sea anemone. These curious animals exist in just about every color and pattern imaginable. Not only can they walk across the rocks, they can also change shape and even reproduce by dividing into new forms.

Like the seaweed, they also have a close relationship with some of the other inhabitants of the tide pool, including clownfish, crabs and snails, to name a few. They depend on each other for survival, living side by side or even closer. As you gaze at the anemone, you reflect on the incredible richness and diversity of life contained in just one small pool. At low tide, these protected areas from delicate temporary ecosystems, miniature universes where everything lives in peaceful coexistence.

You stand up and feel the sea breeze on your skin, it's cool and refreshing. Pausing for a moment with your eyes closed, you realize it's the perfect temperature here. It's so comfortable and relaxing, you can imagine laying down and enjoying the gentle pace of the world as it moves around you. There's nowhere to rest among the rock pools. But maybe later you'll go back to the other beach and stretch out on the sand for a nice long nap.

For now, you're happy to wonder for just a little longer, making your way through the cratered landscape of the tide pools. There are so many to explore. Some large, wide basins of water, while others are so tiny, they look like puddles. It's amazing to think that each one, no matter how small, contains its own little world. As you walk, you noticed that some of the pools catch the reflection of the sky. The surface of the water, it's filled with white clouds and dazzling points of light.

In some, the reflection is so strong and solid that you can hardly see anything beneath the surface of the water. The pools become mirrors for the sky. But as you get closer to a small one on your right, you notice a flicker of movement down below. A bright burst of color in the Silverwater. You bend down and see a beautiful fish. It's a stunning gold and flickers back and forth like a flame, sometimes it's clearly visible and at other times it seems to disappear completely as it weaves its way through the underwater forest of rock and algae.

While some fish spend most of their lives in tide pools, others use them as a refuge when they're young. Until they're big enough to cope with strong waves and life in the open ocean, they seek shelter in the calm, protected environment of the pool. It's oddly relaxing to watch this little golden fish darting in and out of the seaweed. You like to think it's completely safe here with plenty to eat and nothing to fear. Looking closer, you hope to catch a glimpse of other fish in the water to.

But many of the ones that live in these pools are hard to spot as they're often camouflaged among the rocks or plants. You walk around the other side of the water to get a look from another angle. Then, following the movements of the golden fish, your eye is drawn to another splash of color. This time, it's the vibrant purple spines of a sea urchin. These remarkable creatures can be found in oceans all over the world at all depths.

They're one of the most ancient forms of marine life, having existed for around 450 million years. It's no wonder then that they've had special significance in cultures across the world for centuries. For the accounts, the fossils of sea urchins were stones of the soul, and in some civilizations they were used as protective ornaments. Looking at this Purple Sea urchin, now, you can understand why humans have always found them fascinating. They look like plants, but they're actually sent into animals and they somehow look ancient, gazing at the arch and makes you reflect on the age of the earth and the sea.

You think of the incredible resilience of some species, how they're capable of surviving against the odds, thriving in all conditions. You could happily spend all day exploring. Looking for fish anemones, urchins and other forms of life hidden in the tide pools. But you've been on your feet for a while. And it would be nice to sit down. You decide to head back to the Sandy beach so you can find a place to rest. You walk slowly through the rocks surrounding the pools, choosing your steps carefully.

You normally walk without thinking, taking your movement for granted. But this is different, a careful, purposeful kind of walk, considering each and every step. Even though it requires more effort, in a way, there's something meditative about this kind of exercise. The rocky stretch comes to an end and you step onto Smith Golden Sand. You realize how the tide has come in without you noticing. Your footsteps from before have already been washed away. When you're on the beach, you sometimes have the illusion of time standing still.

But nature is always on the move following its own internal rhythms. The movement of the tides used to be a mystery. For centuries, scientists puzzled over the exact relation between the tides and the planet's. But even before we gained a full understanding of these motions, some coaches had already made a connection between the tides and the moon. Communities who lived by the sea in close contact with nature would speculate about this enigmatic relationship. The moon and the tides became part of their folklore.

A story from Aboriginal people in northern Australia explains how high tides fill the moon. The water gradually drips out of the moon, leaving it empty until the high tide returns, then the cycle repeats again and again. The connection between ocean and moon was found through careful observation and the art of living in harmony with nature. Looking up at the sky, you can see a faint, ghostly outline of a silver crescent moon shimmering in the desert blue of the afternoon sky.

There's something uniquely magical and mysterious about seeing the moon in the daylight. It's like catching a glimpse of a performer before the curtain rises. Or spotting the secret fish of the rock pools when they're revealed at low tide. There's so much beauty on this beach from the vast blue sky and ocean to the golden sand that stretches on and on as a boundless expanse. You stand still for a moment to take it all in. Breathing deeply and mindfully. The air has cooled a little, but it's still a pleasant temperature when the fresh breeze whispers across the beach, you catch the salty scent and taste the brine of the sea on your tongue.

After taking another deep breath and you glance down at your feet and spot something half hidden in the ground. You bend down to pick it up and clean off the layer of wet sand with your fingertips. It's a gorgeous clamshell. Pearlescent white tinged with pink. And lined with subtle rings. Turning it over between your fingers, you feel how the outer part of the shell is ridged while it is completely smooth on the inside. You hold the shell up to the light, admiring the subtle shades of color.

It reminds you of a painting you once saw. A delicate watercolor depicting the sunrise. Just as the Rockpool seemed like a miniature wild. This shell could be a little sky with a rising sun merging into the white. There are probably thousands of shells just like this one on this beach alone, but you'd like to think that no two shells in the world are completely identical, just as no two grains of sand are alike. The variety and nature is endless.

In its own way, every single thing is special and unique. As you continue to walk along the beach, you turn the shell over in your hand, rubbing the smooth part between your fingers. You wonder if it's always been this polished or if it was gradually evened out by the sea like a pebble or a piece of sea glass. You go a little higher up the beach looking for a place to sit. You want to watch the tide come in from a safe distance, relaxing on the sand.

Close enough to see the details in the waves, but out of the reach of the ocean's watery brush strokes. You open your bag and unfond the light blanket you brought with you. After spreading it carefully over the sand, you sit down, take off your shoes and make yourself comfortable. You're happy with the place you've chosen. It's exactly the right spot and the right time to sit and rest. You want to take a moment to focus on the sea itself, the quiet majesty of these ancient shores.

The water rose on endlessly all the way to the blue line of the horizon and beyond. There's something about the infinite nature of the ocean that calms you, it is timeless and eternal. Four billion years later, the sea is still here. And you think it always will be. Creating and nurturing countless forms of life around the world. Your case drift slowly from the horizon to the white crests of the waves. With good weather and a gentle wind, the sea is calmer than usual.

You imagine the waves are somehow slower, taking their time as they make their way towards the shore. As you watch the tide coming in and listen to the soothing rush of the waves, you notice your breathing slows down. Keeping time with the sea. The minutes passed slowly, almost imperceptibly. You could be dreaming. But every now and then, you notice that the sun and moon have shifted, continuing their slow journey across the sky. The water is moving to edging its way up the beach.

You wonder if the pools you visited earlier are still accessible or if they've been swept up in the water hidden by the tides until they reappear again many hours from now. As you walk through your memory of the tide pools and their secrets, you feel yourself getting sleepy. Watching the waves come in and go out. Your eyelids begin to grow heavy. You yawn and give in to your instincts. Lying down on the blanket and closing your eyes. You listen to the waves rushing in and out.

The sound fills you with a sense of continuity and peace. That deep natural state of relaxation. With the music of the waves echoing through you, you drift into a rejuvenating sleep.