Relaxation through Imagination

The second post I wrote for this blog more than a year ago was about breathing right (see post dated 13 March 2010).  Doing diaphragmatic breathing is certainly a way that we can enhance relaxation and wellbeing of anybody in any given situation.  Some people like to do this exercise using relaxing music or even with direct voice instructions.  What I would like to highlight in this week’s entry is how images in our mind can also enhance our sense of wellbeing and feelings of relaxation. 

 

Mental images are very powerful in evoking particular feelings.  Invoking images is a way of connecting the present to the past or the future.  And so, purposively recalling specific images and experiences can bring about feelings attached to these internal experiences.  In this entry, I wish to link relaxation exercises with our active imagination. 

A common experience for many of is to find ourselves feeling a certain way whenever we think about something.  Sometimes, the thoughts might come as a specific word.  In other occasions, we might recall a sensory experience, such as a visual scene, a sound, or even a scent.  Any of these experiences can be referred to as mental images. 

For many people, recalling a happy moment in their lives can be very rewarding.  This can be anything, such as, a previous birthday, meeting close friends and catching up with them, a relaxing vacation at the beach, going home to the province, or simply curling up in the couch with a favorite book.  Staying with this image and just being in that moment will most likely bring about the feelings associated with these experiences. 

Another way of using one’s imagination to elicit feelings is through a more active use of fantasy.  This is when imagination is engaged to conjure stories and scenarios that can help bring about positive feelings.  For instance, one can think about an activity that one is planning to do or hope that will happen.  Some examples of this include the following:  imagining an interaction with a liked person, thinking of doing a desired activity, fantasizing about a vacation to a very exotic location, and so on. 

As I describe the use of imagination, a few of us might think that this is nothing more than day dreaming.  I must concede that there are many similarities.  However, I should also say that daydreaming can be rather transient and spontaneous, whereas my proposal is more purposive in terms of images and consequent desired feelings. 

This technique of relaxation can certainly be used anytime and anywhere.  It is particularly useful when one is feeling stressed out or disturbed by negative feelings.  Its results can be brief and transient that can be used in helping oneself deal with difficult situations.  As negative feelings tend to lessen (but sometimes not really disappear) with such exercises, it allows us to use our rationality to deal with our situations more effectively.  This method is certainly not indicated as a permanent method of coping with difficult situations. 

So, what images do you think you would like to use to help yourself feel more relaxed?