Host: Lara McIntyre, CHt; a retired mental health counsellor, clinical hypnotherapist, and current spiritual adventurer. On The Contentmentalist, Lara blends science, mindfulness, and heartfelt wisdom to help you navigate life’s chaos with grace.

This meditation is a short, powerful tool to lower cortisol and restore balance—anytime, anywhere.

Episode Overview

Stressed? Overwhelmed? This quick guided meditation is designed to help you release excess cortisol—the “stress hormone”—so you can return to your day feeling lighter, calmer, and more centred. Perfect for busy moments when you only have a few minutes to reset.

Pair this with the previous episode, Cortisol 101, to understand why cortisol balance matters and how to manage it naturally.

Why This Meditation Works

Cortisol plays a vital role in your body, but chronic stress can leave you with too much of it.

This meditation helps:

• Lower cortisol levels through deep relaxation and breath-work.
• Release physical tension, especially in the shoulders, jaw, and body.
• Reset your nervous system, so you respond to stress with more ease.
• Create a mental “vacation” for your cortisol, allowing only what’s necessary to remain.

Duration: ~10 minutes (including 3–4 minutes of silent reflection).

Who Is This For?

• Anyone feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
• Those with busy schedules who need a quick reset.
• Listeners who want to complement the Cortisol 101 episode with actionable relief.
• People in perimenopause/menopause, when hormonal shifts can affect cortisol.

Lara’s Invitation

If this meditation brings you ease, please share it with someone who needs calm too. We all deserve more contentment—let’s spread it together.

Listen to The Contentmentalist for more tools to thrive in the chaos.

The Contentmentalist is part of LAMI.love

Reach Lara: lara@lami.love

MUSIC:

Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Drone in D by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200044

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

This Episode: Stress is universal, but understanding cortisol—the “stress hormone”—can empower you to take control of your health. In this episode, Lara breaks down what cortisol is, why it’s essential, and how to manage high levels naturally. Discover science-backed tips, including the power of meditation, to reduce stress and restore balance.

Remember: cortisol isn’t your enemy—it’s a vital part of being human. The key is managing stress before it manages you. Start small: breathe deeply, walk, meditate, or call a friend. Your mind and body will thank you.

Please do share this episode with someone who needs it, and remember—you’ve got this!

Host: Lara McIntyre, CHt; a retired mental health counsellor, clinical hypnotherapist, and current spiritual explorer. After helping others find their path through life’s challenges and teaching adults life coaching, Lara now shares her guided meditations, wisdom and practical tools on The Contentmentalist—a place of calm in the chaos. Join her as she blends science, spirituality, and real-life experience from a down to earth point of view to help you find balance and contentment.

The Contentmentalist is part of lami.love

Reach Lara: lara@lami.love

Music:

Redwood Trail by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Green Leaves by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Acoustic Guitar 1 by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Escape the rush of daily life and enter a tranquil healing garden with this guided meditation designed for all levels. Using gentle hypnosis tools, this session helps you slow your mind, release stress and reconnect with inner peace. Whether you’re new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this practice will guide you into a restorative space of calm and renewal.

The meditation includes 4 minutes of silence near the end, allowing you to absorb the stillness and deepen your relaxation before returning to your day.

Perfect for: Busy minds, stress relief, emotional healing and anyone craving a peaceful mental reset.

You deserve contentment.

Music:

Healing by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200048

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

In this bonus episode recorded four years ago for the first iteration of this podcast, we dive into the world of hypnosis—what it is why it’s safe to use in meditation and how it can support your journey to deep calm and peace.

Key Takeaways:

• Hypnosis is not mind control—it’s a tool for deep relaxation and focus.
• Ethical and logistical differences between hypnotherapy and stage hypnosis. Why they matter.
• The only hypnosis tools used in these meditations are those that facilitate body and mind relaxation.
• Our meditations are designed for self-love, beating daily anxiety and cultivating inner peace.

Important Note: People diagnosed with schizophrenia should not use hypnosis of any kind without a doctor’s approval.

Who This Episode Is For:
Anyone curious about hypnosis its role in meditation or how to use it safely for stress relief and emotional well-being.

Listen now to separate fact from fiction and discover how hypnosis can enhance your meditation practice.

Music:

Rubix Cube by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Healing by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200048

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

"The Contentmenalist" is part of LAMI.love

Reach Lara: lara@LAMI.love

Welcome to this bonus sleep meditation—my very first attempt at podcasting! Recorded in 2022, this episode is designed to help you wind down for bed and create brain “muscle memory” so the sound of my voice becomes a cue for your mind to slow down and relax.

How to Use This Episode:

• Play it as you get ready for bed—let the gentle patter ease you into a calm state.
• The meditation fades into silence, allowing you to drift off naturally.
• No formal conclusion—just peaceful space for sleep.

A Note on References:
This episode was originally recorded on a different platform, so some references (like Anchor FM and voicemail options) are no longer available. Thank you for understanding!

Link to "About Hypnosis" here.

Sweet dreams—press play and let go.

Music:

Fluidscape by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100393

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

"The Contentmenalist" is part of LAMI.love

Reach Lara: lara@LAMI.love

Feeling overwhelmed? Join Lara for this 8-minute anti-anxiety meditation that can be your go-to tool for instant calm, whether you need a daily reset or emergency stress relief. Using simple breath work and classic grounding techniques, this guided practice helps you lower your stress levels, regain focus, and return to your day with clarity and calm. Perfect for high-pressure moments at work, before meetings, or whenever anxiety strikes, this short but powerful session brings your energy down a notch so you can show up as your best self. No experience needed—just press play and breathe.

Ideal for: Busy professionals, students, parents or anyone needing a quick mental reset. Use it daily or in moments of crisis to restore balance and control.

Hit play, breathe deep, and reclaim your calm—anytime, anywhere.

“The Contentmentalist” is part of LAMI.love

Reach Lara directly: lara@lami.love

The Contentmentalist – Episode 1: Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You

Guided Meditation for Deep Relaxation, Self-Love, and Emotional Release

Join Lara McIntyre, RPC (retired), CHt, for a transformative guided meditation designed to help you release physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, or relational pain. In this soothing journey, you’ll explore a serene private garden, descend to a babbling brook, and create space for unconditional love and deep rest.

Perfect for all levels of meditators, this episode includes a period of silence to deepen your experience and integrate the benefits of letting go.

✨ Deep Relaxation: Melt away tension and stress as you immerse yourself in a peaceful, hypnotic landscape.
✨ Emotional Release: Gently release what no longer serves you—whether it’s anxiety, worry, pain or past burdens.
✨ Self-Love & Renewal: Fill the newfound space with compassion, acceptance, and inner peace.
✨ Mindful Silence: Enjoy 3 minutes of silence near the end to reflect, absorb, and connect with your inner wisdom.

This guided meditation is ideal for anyone seeking:

• Relief from anxiety, stress, or overwhelm

• A way to let go of emotional baggage

• A boost in self-love and self-compassion

• A restful break for the mind and body

• Beginners and experienced meditators alike

• Those looking to cultivate inner peace and emotional freedom

• Anyone craving a moment of stillness in a busy world

The Contentmentalist is a podcast offering guided meditations and discussions to support your mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Hosted by Lara McIntyre, a retired Registered Professional Counsellor (RPC) and Certified Hypnotherapist (CHt), each episode is crafted to help you relax, heal, and thrive.

"The Contenmentalist" is a subsidiary of LAMI.love

Reach Lara directly at: Lara@lami.love

Intro Music:

Redwood Trail by Audionautix; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Meditation Music:

Drone in D by Kevin MacLeod; licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200044

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

How can The Contentmentalist help you? This is your place of peace in a chaotic world. I’m Lara McIntyre, a retired mental health counsellor, clinical hypnotherapist, and adult educator—and I’m so glad you’re here!

In this podcast, I’ll guide you through hypnotherapy-inspired meditations designed to help you find calm—whether you’re navigating anxiety, stress, or worry, struggling with sleep, or cultivating self-love and spirituality. Each episode is a gentle invitation to pause, breathe, and reconnect with your inner wisdom.

Here, you’ll find tools to soothe your mind, nurture your self-esteem, and deepen your sense of peace. Think of this as your sanctuary—a place to slow down, let go, and remember who you truly are.

If you’re ready to quiet the noise and step into a kinder relationship with yourself, you’re in the right place. Subscribe now to join me on this journey, and remember: You deserve this moment of stillness.

I’ll meet you in the next episode. 💛

Music: "Eastminster" by Kevin MacLeod

Eastminster by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100719

Artist: http://incompetech.com/