CREATIVE VISUALIZATION

Advocates of imagery have long held the belief that the imagination can be used for healing, relief of pain, and help the body overcome ailments, including depression.

Researchers at Ohio State University found that people with cancer using imagery along with chemotherapy were more relaxed and more positive about their care and prognosis than those who didn’t used imagery.

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that seven people who suffered from canker sore in their mouths reduced the frequency of outbreaks after they began visualizing that the sores were bathed in a coating of white blood cells.

At the University of South Florida researchers found that 19 men and women, ages 56 to 75 who had bronchitis and emphysema to rate their levels of anxiety, depression, fatigue and discomfort before and after they began using imagery. Researchers concluded that imagery significantly improved the quality of their lives.

A study at Yale also used patients suffering depression and concluded that they were helped by imagining scenes in which they were praised by people they admired, boosting their self-esteem.

Studies continue at Michigan State University, Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, George Washington University in Washington D.C. and the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, as well as many other notable places.

The bottom line is—imagery and the use of your imagination can indeed help to improve your mental perceptions thereby improving your overall health.

HOW TO VISUALIZE:

Visualization is a person thing. Everyone will experience it in a different way. Some of you may have no problem closing your eyes and seeing images. Others may not see the image, but instead having a sensing of where the image is and what it is. In the beginning you should practice between 15 to 20 minutes a day. As you become more proficient you’ll find it takes only minutes to achieve the physical, mental and emotional effect you want to achieve.

1) Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. Loosen your clothing and find a comfortably place to sit or lie down. Close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel your body begin to relax.
2) In the beginning I recommend you try simple imagery scenes. Imagine things you know. A room in your house. When you’re comfortable with what you’re seeing, or sensing, try to go into the scene. Walk from room to room until you’ve been through your entire house.
3) Once you’re comfortable doing places you know, stretch your imagination to create a “safe” place to play. Make it just the way you want it. Fill it with love, light, laughter. All the things YOU love the most.
4) Once you’ve captured the image and feeling of this special place, take that feeling inside you, allowing it to reach out to any areas that need healing, whether that healing is mental, emotional or physical. Hold the feeling for as long as you can.
5) When you’re comfortable add an affirmation to your imagery.

The perfect visualization is one that: 1) Is personal just to you; 2) is positive in every aspect; 3) is in present tense; 4) includes both visual content and emotional feelings.

“If the mind can conceive it, the heart can believe it—then you can achieve it.”

SEE IT—FEEL IT—WATCH IT HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE!