The benefits of guided imagery
Imagine escaping the realities of everyday life. Allow yourself to forget about the stresses of work, driving and preparing meals. Imagine the calm, cool breeze of the ocean or think about taking a wonderful walk in the mountains.
Where is your perfect place?
This is a question Diane Tusek, registered nurse and former director of the Guided Imagery Program at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, asked patients in the operating room to help calm them before surgery. When Tusek started leading patients through guided imagery, she instantly noticed positive results. Patients seemed much more at ease during and after surgery.
The calming effect
In the recovery room, Tusek says patients thanked her and asked her to once again take them to their perfect place with her warm, soothing voice. Upon making these observations, Tusek realized that her method of relaxing patients could be useful to so many others.
The study
Tusek coauthored a 1997 study at the Cleveland Clinic, dividing 130 patients undergoing colorectal surgery into two groups. One group received standard preoperative care while the second listened to a guided imagery recording for three days before surgery and again in the recovery room. The results showed that patients in the guided imagery group had significantly reduced postoperative anxiety and they used about 57 per cent less pain medication.
Guided imagery is not solely for people undergoing medical procedures, though.
"It can be used for anyone who has obstacles in their lives, young and old," says Tusek. She explains that a lot of people who use guided imagery are pressed for time and are looking for balance in their chaotic lives.
A trip to the beach
Tusek explains that guided imagery works well because the brain cannot tell the difference between reality and thought. Imagining yourself relaxing on a beach affects your nervous system, she says. Your breathing slows down and your muscles relax. In essence, you are where you think you are.
So, the next time you feel like your life is spinning out of control, when you need some alone time, or maybe you're just searching for some calm, try guided imagery. Take a moment to try it out now. Click on the link below to hear a relaxing 3-minute audio clip. Close your eyes and let Tusek's soothing voice virtually take you to a tropical beach. Best of all, you can leave your sunscreen at home.
