The Power of Your Mind

Photo: Flávio Takemoto

Guided imagery for stress relief is a very effective technique, and can be practiced by anyone anywhere. There is no need for any professional guidance, though it helps. It can also be practiced with the help of audio or video CDs. It is also known as creative visualization, creative imagery, or mental imagery.

Imagery is the language of mind with which it communicates with itself and the body. The imagery is at the core of such mind-body medicines as Yoga, Biofeedback and Homeopathy.

Though imagery is pretty much discounted in the modern cultures, still, obviously, we can’t do without it: we are using it all the time without realizing that we are so doing.

Imagine that you are required to make a presentation. A successful presenter or public speaker always imagines her audience in her mind: speaking in front of that audience, successfully answering all the questions asked of her, and anticipating every question that might be asked. By doing so she is giving herself a positive feedback, preparing herself for a brilliant presentation.

Now, try to think of another situation. You are playing billiards. In your mind’s eye, you imagine the point where the stick will impact the ball, the angle at which it will hit and the force with which it will strike it. You mentally see the ball going into the hole. The better you are able to visualize it, the better your chances of hitting it right. Good coaches train players in practicing imagery. And it works.

Where words and reasoning don’t succeed, images do! Creative visualization works on this principle. As is often said – you become what you think.

Benefits of Guided imagery

The effects of placebos are well known in medical circles. That, also, is nothing but guided imagery. Though calling it a placebo is, kind of, discounting the power of imagery and attributing its effectiveness to patient’s imagination, yet the power of imagery is now widely accepted in medical circles, and some hospitals have even started employing it as a part of their treatment stratagem.

The effect of mind on body and vice versa, even if grudgingly, is accepted by the physicians. creative visualization has been proven to be effective in the treatment of following problems and maladies –

1. Stress and anxiety,
2. Allergies,
3. Asthma,
4. Arthritis,
5. Cancer pain,
6. Heart disease and many others.

Guided Imagery for Stress Relief

Many imagery exercises are suggested for stress relief; you can also devise your own.

Even if you follow some expert’s advice, unless you give it the color of your own experience, it cannot be effective. For any imagery to be effective, it has to be visualized vividly right up to the minutest details.

The imagery exercises should be practiced along with some relaxation technique. Unless your mind and body are relaxed, you cannot hope imagery to evoke any response in you. When you are relaxed, you are more receptive to the suggestions of your sub-conscious mind. For this you can take the help of any relaxation technique, such as progressive Muscle Relaxation.

Recommended Resources

The following are some of the best resources that make use of visualization for self healing. Some are in the form of CDs while other are MP3s that can be instantly downloaded.

Self Healing Through Visualization

Stress Solutions

Comfort For Difficult Times

Further Reading

Reduce Stress With Guided Imagery

Guided Imagery For Wellness: Stop Worrying And Start Living

How Does Stress Affect A person - How It Affects You?

Stress Relief Tips and Techniques: Top 10 Stress Relievers.

Signs And Symptoms Of Stress

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