What Is Guided Imagery?
Guided imagery is a form of meditation and relaxation. The goal is to calm yourself by mentally focusing on a real thing or experience.
Guided imagery intends to relax your body by imagining a restful thing or experience unique to you. From this, your physical body responds to your mind’s visualization of this calming thing you think of.
Practicing this form of relaxation can improve personal coping strategies for physical, mental, and emotional stress.
Why Is Guided Imagery Important?
Some bodily improvements from practicing this can include:
Improved sleep patterns
A decreased pain perception
Reduced anxiety, stress and symptoms of depression
How To Practice Guided Imagery?
Getting started:
This form of meditation can be done anytime and anywhere, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. In general, here’s what you need:
Guided Imagery does not need special equipment and can be done in almost any place and on your time. Here are some good strategies for setting up a space to practice:
Use a yoga mat, a bed or large enough couch to spread out in
Find an area with limited noise
Possibly try an audio file to focus
Think about using headphones if you practice with an audio file
Advice For Beginners
Guided Imagery can work more effectively after your body has already relaxed. Think about using this meditation after working out, stretching, or finishing a yoga session.
Advice for those unfamiliar with practicing this form of meditation:
Try using a guided imagery audio file to listen and follow along too. This can help you fall into a safe relaxation mindset.
Find an area and wear clothing that is comfortable to you. Where you are and what you feel are important for setting a relaxing mindset.
Limit your electronics use and outside distractions, so you can focus on visualizing and relaxing
Try not to be concerned about what you are doing and focus on your breathing. This can improve relaxation, and practicing steady breathing helps stabilize yourself for anything your practice.
Think about tracking how practicing guided imagery makes you feel after a session and throughout your day. This can generally improve your mindfulness, which helps with your mental well-being.
