Using Your Imagination
to Bring Relaxation to your Mind and Body
Mental Imagery is a therapeutic technique that uses your imagination and the power of thought to bring a state of relaxation to your body and possibly create changes in your life. Your thoughts are an inner communication system, that relays a message to your brain and body, the state of health or relaxation you would prefer. Everyone has an imagination and uses it daily. You might be thinking about what to make for dinner and 'imagine' the ingredients you need or the final dinner. Mental imagery has been used as a complementary tool to improve health status in the treatment of asthma, cancer, blood pressure, headaches. Mental imagery is also known to be used to increase sports performance, as all good
sports people imagine
themselves winning even before they start the race!
During times of stress people usually have negative thoughts about their situations. This creates a more 'stressed' feel throughout the body and mind and if this continues it can lead to
anxiety.
Instead of thinking negatively, use your imagination to relieve your stress and un-wind.
Relaxing thoughts create relaxation throughout your body.
When doing Mental Imagery you imagine a peaceful scene, a sacred space, a place where you feel comfortable. Imagine all aspects of the scenario including the sights, smells, tastes and textures.
Remember! Aim for relaxation.
If whatever you are imagining is making you feel more stressed, then change the channel! (as if you were changing the channel on the television)... and imagine something that brings you peace and joy!
Although Mental Imagery can be used at any time during a stressful situation it is best to learn it in a quiet environment. Once you have the hang of it, you can imagine a peaceful feeling inside of you at any time... even before you go to the dentist, do public speaking, while waiting in a supermarket store, waiting in traffic, before an exam, before you speak to your boss, or even just to relax for 5-10 minutes in the middle of a busy day. With practise, Mental Imagery can even be done with your eyes open.
Imagination in Action:
Try it now. Close your eyes and bring to your mind a natural scene. Maybe use the picture here of the Rainbow Lorikeets to start you off. See the birds in the trees... and visualize what else is around you. Imagine a natural scene. One that brings you peace and happiness. Move around in your scene imagining all aspects of your peaceful have. Notice the flowers, trees, beach, trickling river, animals, the garden, or whatever is in your safe space. If you find a path it could relate to a goal in life, a change in your scenery... it's up to you whether you follow it. If you choose to, imagine what you will see along the path, what is at the end of the path. Feel and sense and BE in the Present Moment with this Mental Imagery. Use all your senses to make it more real and get maximum benefit! What do you hear? What do you see? How do things feel when you touch them?
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Imagination to Ways to Relax
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