Guided Imagery
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What is Guided Imagery?
Ø What is Guided Imagery used for?
What is Guided Imagery?
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. This exercise demonstrates how your body can respond to what you are imagining.
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 attitudes, 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 to stress. 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.
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.
Be true to yourself. If you're feeling uncomfortable or threatened in any way, you should
leave immediately and look elsewhere. Watch out for any therapies that don't respect your value system or where you feel that
your autonomy isn't respected. Even though you're going to an expert or practitioner for their guidance, you should
always feel safe and that the process involves a free exchange of ideas.
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.
Use these simple imagery exercises for relaxing or renewing
your energy when you need to stress relief.
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