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Guided imagery is a learned technique that teaches patients to guide their minds to more relaxed and focused states. This can directly affect brain and physical functioning as imagining relaxed states (such as sitting calmly on a beach) can have the same physiological effects -including lowered blood pressure and heart rate- as actual relaxation (i.e. actually sitting calmly on a beach.)
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Principles of Guided Imagery
Mind-Body connection is the basis of the guided imagery methodology. In the same way that the picture of a chocolate cake can get us to start salivating, images of relaxation, success and fertility can move the body into achieving those states. The “Altered State” is the state of relaxed focus that one is achieving during guided imagery. This state allows you to command the inner strength and will to achieve your goal. A “locus of control” factor is another key to guided imagery’s success. Since the user is in charge of the guided imagery session and the how and when to use it, it makes one feel that they have a higher sense of control their challenge and the solution. This feeling in itself fosters higher self-esteem and sense of mastery over the environment.
Guided Imagery is a blend of mediation and self-hypnosis. Its appealing because it does not require any experience or skill on the part of the user. One can invent their own imagery or listen to a imagery that has been created by someone else, usually focused on a specific issue such as fertility.
