Guided imagery is the exercise of visualizing a scene in order to create positive emotional feelings. The results are a calm body and mind. Researchers have found that using guided imagery can help reduce stress, manage chronic pain, and improves the immune response of clients who use it.

How do you prepare to use guided imagery? First, its important to be able to sit or lay in a quiet and private place. Set aside between 10-25 minutes. Take a few breaths to create a space around you that is calm and grounded. Prepare to be playful in the images that you create or notice as having a rich imagination is a plus for guided imagery.

Sit or lay in a comfortable position. Begin to consciously relax your body. If you are having problems, you can do a scan from your head to toes and consciously relaxing and letting go of the sensations and stress you notice in each part of your body.

Many people use recordings of guided imageries to guide the scene. While you can find many guided imageries online, reading them to yourself tends to be much less relaxing that finding a recording or recording yourself reading the scripts. If you have a loved on who wants to help, they can also read it to you.

Often people will have music accompanying the script. For many who never take the time to relax, falling asleep is irresistible. Falling asleep will mean you did a good job relaxing, but you will not get the same psychosocial benefits as if you completed the exercise.

Remember that relaxation is something that needs to be practiced. The more you practice, the more your body and mind will learn what they need to do to relax. Happy relaxing!