Imagine This!

We've all seen or experienced what happens when people get too stressed out. Does that ever happen to you? Today's topic is about how to get to that "happy place" if even for a few minutes...to take a little mental time-out for restoration, stress management, or healing!  "But I just can't get there!"    Mental imagery is powerful and if you can THINK, you can do it! Here are some tips (first in a two-part series) for "Imagery in Relaxation" from one of my colleagues, Dr. Hillel Mazansky, this is his specialty! Directions to the Happy Place, LOL One common use of imagery in relaxation is to imagine a scene, place or event that you remember as safe, peaceful, restful, beautiful and happy. You can bring all your senses into the image with, for example, sounds of running water and birds, the smell of cut grass, the taste of cool white wine, the warmth of the sun, etc. Use the imagined place as a retreat from stress and pressure. Scenes can involve complex images such as lying on a beach in a deserted cove. You may "see" cliffs, sea and sand around you, "hear" the waves crashing against rocks, "smell" the salt in the air, and "feel" the warmth of the sun and a gentle breeze on your body. Other images might include looking at a mountain view, swimming in a tropical pool, or whatever you want. You will be able to come up with the most effective images for yourself. Other uses of imagery in relaxation involve creating mental pictures of stress flowing out of your body, or of stress, distractions and everyday concerns being folded away and locked into a padlocked chest. Ahhh... I feel better already, do you? I want to go there! For more information on Dr. Mazansky and his work, you can check out his website http://www.gianinc.com  Stay tuned...next up in this two part series is: How to use imagery in preparation and rehearsal...  To give you a competitive EDGE... Instead of worrying...because worrying is actually mental preparation for impending doom! Well we don't want to go THERE!