Guided imagery is a relaxation tool that eases stress and promotes a sense of peace and tranquility. Today, numerous research studies have concluded that the mind does indeed influence the body. Imagery is the language that your mind uses to communicate with your body. Guided Imagery is beneficial for reducing feelings of anxiety, fear and depression and for facilitating a powerful sense of wellness. A weSPARK guest who enjoys Guided Imagery calls it “A way to turn down the noise and static and get some real perspective.” Guided Imagery helps to calm the mind by letting go of all judgment and criticism. By using Guided Imagery, you will learn how to create a safe place where you can breathe deeply and induce total relaxation whenever you need it.
Numerous approaches are used to focus this relaxation such as: mindful meditation harmonized with music, inner guide meditation involving archetypes, neuro-biofeedback, hypnosis and positive affirmations. One guest was told to use guided imagery by his doctor to help stop negative thinking and to boost his immunity. During his cancer treatment, his friends told him to stay positive. Basically, he was an upbeat person but he couldn’t be positive all the time, especially once his treatment ended and he needed to wait for the results of his scans. By attending a Guided Imagery workshop, he learned how to use positive affirmations and suggestions to confront his normal fears and anxiety while he waited for his results. “Whenever I finish a session, I feel calm, invigorated and totally positive about my situation. Guided Imagery gives me an incredible sense of well-being.”
Many cancer patients look for ways to use their own resources to find relief. Learning to change negative thinking and behaviors and discover your own inner strength is a wonderful experience. Guided Imagery will provide you with an actual set of tools that you can depend on to combat fear, depression and anxiety while also helping you improve your immune system by reducing stress. It is another piece of the puzzle you can use to restore your sense of control and enhance your healing process.
A Guided Imagery workshop was taught at weSPARK Cancer Support Center on May 21. If you are interested in learning more about Guided Imagery, please contact weSPARK at 661-288-2322. An intake is required before participating in programming.