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Noticing a tone, drifting off and coming back is the whole practice. Sound can be a pleasant anchor for mindful rest, if it suits you.

Lots of people say they are "bad at meditation" because their thoughts will not switch off. Mindfulness, however, has never required a blank mind. A sound-based practice can make this easier to see: you hear a tone, your attention wanders to your shopping list, and you gently bring it back. That small loop is the exercise.

No need to decode every sensation

While listening you may feel warmth, heaviness or a fidget in your legs. These are ordinary body sensations and do not have to be interpreted as energy moving. Letting them come and go without a story attached can feel surprisingly restful.

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, includes optional sound-based relaxation at the Lane Cove clinic and frames it as a wellbeing practice rather than a medical treatment.

Sound is one option among several

Some people love following a chime or bowl; others prefer silence, a breathing count or simply the steady rhythm of a massage. Tell Christine what appeals to you and what does not. Keeping the exercise optional means you can try it once and set it aside without feeling you have failed.

Adjusting the experience

Volume, how close the instruments are, whether you sit or lie down and the freedom to pause can all be tailored. You do not have to feel anything in particular, and you can shift position whenever you like. Let Christine know what feels comfortable on the day.

Ongoing worry, low mood or trouble sleeping deserve a wider conversation than a relaxation session can offer. Mention them, and consider involving your GP, so that your support covers more than a pleasant half hour.

For many clients, a few minutes of mindful listening after hands-on treatment becomes a simple way to leave the clinic at an unhurried pace. Others prefer to finish with quiet stretching or a glass of water before heading back out into Lane Cove traffic.