Guided Imagery: Pond with Lily Pads
Welcome to this week’s guided imagery! Relaxation imagery, or guided imagery, involves visual cues and mental imagery to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and manage symptoms of various health conditions. During a relaxation imagery session, a person is guided through a series of mental images designed to evoke feelings of calmness, relaxation, and well-being. The person may be instructed to imagine themselves in a peaceful setting, such as a beach or a forest, and to focus on sensory details, such as the sound of the waves or the smell of the trees.
Relaxation imagery sessions may also incorporate other relaxation techniques, like deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation, to enhance peace and well-being. Relaxation imagery can be used to help manage a variety of symptoms, including anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and insomnia. It may be practiced alone or with the guidance of a licensed healthcare professional, such as a psychologist or counselor. Relaxation imagery is a practical and evidence-based approach to promoting relaxation and managing various health conditions.
How Do You Prepare:
Ready to give it a try? Great! Remember, taking a moment to focus on your breathing and relax your body can help to enhance the effectiveness of the relaxation imagery session. Take your time and enjoy the experience! Here are the instructions to adjust your posture, put both feet flat on the floor, sit comfortably in a chair with both feet flat on the floor, close your eyes, and become aware of breathing before starting the imagery:
Find a comfortable chair in a quiet, peaceful location where you won’t be interrupted. Move toward the front edge of the chair and place both feet flat on the ground.
Adjust your posture, so your back is straight but not rigid, and your shoulders are relaxed. Place your hands in your lap or on the armrests of the chair.
Begin to take deep breaths, inhaling deeply through your nose and exhaling slowly through your mouth. Allow each exhale to release any body tension, and focus on feeling more relaxed with each breath.
Close your eyes and let yourself relax further. Become aware of the feeling of your body in the chair and the sensation of your feet on the ground.
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