We are used to treating ailments with ointments, pills and potions but did you know we are already equipped with the greatest healing aid – our mind.
Visualization therapy has been used for thousands of years and it is premised on the basis that what you visualize can impact your emotions and make or break your realities.
What to do we mean? Well, visualization therapy is believed to trigger activity in the right side of the brain (the center for emotional balance and creativity). By triggering the brain through imagery, physical and mental illness can be prevented, reduced and healed.
A survey conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that visualization (or guided imagery as it is also known) was the 10th most commonly used alternative medicine in the United States in 2002.
The mind truly is a powerful healing tool. Not only can you visualize your success through imagery, you can also manifest your health through visualization. By creating images in the mind we can reduce pain, change focus on positive images and be distracted from our woes (whether internal or external).
Two common imagery techniques include:
Palming is a form of color visualization. By placing your palms over your eyes and envisioning your stress/health concerns you will see a color associated with this (it is usually red). You will then be guided to change the color you see to one which promotes feelings of calm and relaxation such as blue.- Guided imagery is goal orientated – you set your objectives or desires and use imagery to guide yourself towards the goal.
Imagery has been shown to manage anxiety, stress, depression and even reduce pain, lower blood pressure and is often recommended as a complimentary medicine for cancer patients.
On top of this, visualization techniques are not only used to heal the body but also for preparation – many athletes and performers use guided imagery to improve their skills and concentration before a competition or show.
Depending on what goal you are focusing on the visualization session can vary in time. For example if you are imaging and focusing on the battle between your healthy white blood cells and the fighting cancer cells then your imagery therapy will require longer time than a person who requires 60-seconds of positive imagery before confronting their boss about a salary increase.
Guided imagery has similar traits to meditation but it can be easier to pick up this technique in lesser time that meditation. Guided imagery is also great for children as they can be quickly distracted from their pain or sadness by remembering happy thoughts, their favorite toy or a recent family holiday!
Visualization does not stop there, once you are in the habit of imaging yourself better you can visualize and set goals for the life you want through this technique. The possibilities with visualization are endless!
Let us know below if you have recently used guided imagery to help reduce stress or reach a goal!
*Why not start creating the life you want now? Get access to a free 6-part introductory course on the art of visualization and see how visualization can be used to get everything you desire.
