We all use guided imagery.
It is essentially what our daily lives are. Rather than someone (like Uncle Don) speaking
the words, our environment (in interaction with ourselves) does the trick….but
not just for stress relaxation as described below, but for every aspect of life
(including those things that give us stress).
We are guided towards our experience.
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Guided Imagery - Topic Overview
Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts
and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state.
You can use an instructor, tapes, or scripts to help you through this process.
Guided imagery is based on the concept that your
body and mind are connected. Using all of your senses, your body seems to
respond as though what you are imagining is real. An example often used is to
imagine an orange or a lemon in great detail-the smell, the color, the texture
of the peel. Continue to imagine the smell of the lemon, and then see yourself
taking a bite of the lemon and feel the juice squirting into your mouth. Many
people salivate when they do this. Thisexercise demonstrates how your body can respond to what
you are imagining.
Recommended Related to Stress Management
When she needs relief from the grind of
delivering major proposals, Dana Marlowe, 33, of Washington, D.C., makes some
noise. "I cruise right into my toddler’s playroom, and I just jam out with
his toys -- the xylophone, the baby piano. I almost have 'Twinkle, Twinkle,
Little Star' down," says Marlowe, a technology accessibility consultant.
This kind of casual music-making can short-circuit the stress response,
research shows, and keep it from becoming chronic. Stress starts in the brain
and then...
You can achieve a relaxed state when you imagine
all the details of a safe, comfortable place, such as a beach or a garden. This
relaxed state may aid healing, learning, creativity, and performance. It may
help you feel more in control of your emotions and thought processes, which may
improve your attitude, health, and sense of well-being.
What is guided imagery
used for?
Guided imagery has many uses. You can use it to
promote relaxation, which can lower blood pressure and reduce other problems related tostress. You can also use it to help reach
goals (such as losing weight or quitting smoking),manage pain, and
promote healing. Using guided imagery can even help you to prepare for an
athletic event or for public speaking.
Is guided imagery
safe?
Guided imagery is safe. No known risks are
associated with it. Guided imagery is most effective when the person teaching
it has training in guided imagery techniques.
Always tell your doctor if you are using an
alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative
therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo
your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.