About Guided Imagery
Guided imagery is often called visualization, mental rehearsal, self-hypnosis and guided meditation. It is purposeful, positive daydreaming; a natural way that we process our thoughts and emotions. It is using our imagination in all the best ways with all of our senses.
Imagery is experienced physically and mentally. For example, when you imagine being in a peaceful place like the beach, you may see the scenery around you, hear the waves, feel the warm sand between your toes, smell the freshness in the air, or taste the sea salt on your lips, as though you are really there. And you feel peaceful.
Guided imagery is often used to enhance physical performance by professional athletics and professionals in the performing arts. It is also used by students striving for higher academic scores.
In the medical field, guided imagery can give patients more control over their health. It can help them reduce anxiety and stress, prepare mentally and physically for surgery, and help with the treatment and recovery issues associated with serious illnesses such as cancer.
Years of Research Reveals Untold Benefits
Guided imagery has been clinically researched for 50+ years, and is included in many medical institutions and wellness centers as a gold standard integrative modality to address:
- Unmanaged stress, high blood pressure, irritable bowel, migraines and tension headaches
- Reduce anxiety, acute and chronic pain relief
- Chronic stress that contributes to fluctuations in hemoglobin A1C levels
- Reduce anxiety, improve and deepen restful sleep
- Speed healing and recovery from fractures, joint replacements and burns
- Reduce surgery complications such as: blood loss, infection, slow healing, post-surgical nausea and vomiting
- Highly effective to relieve pain and reduce opioid use post-operatively
- Reduced hospital stays post-op (by up to 2 days), due to faster healing and quicker recovery of bodily functions (bowel and bladder)
- Highly effective to stop hyperemesis (nausea and vomiting) in pregnancy
- Achieving peak performance in academics, test-taking, athletics, performing arts and public speaking
- Strengthens ability to change behavior in smoking cessation, purposeful weight loss and other healthy lifestyle changes
- Highly effective, proven modality when used during invasive and non-invasive medical procedures, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, extubation (come off a ventilator)
Guided imagery sessions can be done using FaceTime and Zoom or on the phone.