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How Guided Imagery Works

Terry Reed, RN, MS, HN-BC
Co-Director, Beyond Ordinary Nursing
terry@integrativeimagery.com
www.integrativeimagery.com

If you know how to worry, you know how to do imagery.  It’s that simple.  Imagery is something we do all the time; it’s how we process our thoughts. Unfortunately, more often we use our imagination to conjure stress or fear.

Guided imagery is the therapeutic tool we can use to create the opposite effect, to release stressful images, slow the racing mind and shift the body to a peaceful place, even if only for 30 seconds.

The body doesn’t know the difference between what we’re thinking and what’s actually happening.  When we worry about losing our job, for example, our body releases hormones as if that really happened.  That interferes with our immune system, our ability to cope.

Our bodies have an inner pharmacy.  We have our own built-in healing powers.  We can either turn on our adrenaline ‘button’ or our endorphin ‘button.’  Guided imagery engages the person where that physiology begins.

Research supports the benefits of guided imagery in a number of applications.  It’s been validated, for example, that patients who use the technique in preparation for surgery have faster wound healing and need less pain medication.  They’re ready to leave the hospital sooner and have more skills to promote recovery.

Other applications include: relaxation; minimizing side effects of medications or procedures; dealing with chronic illness; preparing for childbirth; surgical healing; and enhancing coping skills.

Imagery gives a person control, and that decreases anxiety.  For example, patients dealing with cancer feel a loss of control over their lives.  With imagery, there is something to hold on to, a place to relax.  It gives a sense of control and keeps you from compromising your own built-in healing powers.  This is the part that doctors and nurses can’t do for us.  We’re the only ones who can change our inner pharmacy.

The first step in learning this powerful tool is deciding to partner in your own healing.  It is most helpful to find a health care practitioner that is skilled in a 1:1 imagery called Integrative Imagery, which uses a person’s own images and has them interact with the images and the imagery guide. Once you have learned the imagery tools specific to your individual needs, you can use them in your daily life for you own self-care.   Certified imagery practitioners may be found on the following two websites:  www.integrativeimagery.com and imageryinternational.org.

Imagery isn’t only effective for managing illness.  It’s for anyone and can be customized for specific purposes, to increase wellbeing, creativity, and relaxation.  We can use imagery naturally to control or reduce or manage whatever is compromising us. In addition, imagery has no side effects and is cost-effective!

Try this simple technique to calm down in a stressful moment: