Visualization Therapy For Treating Stress

Visualization Therapy A certain amount of stress in our lives is actually essential for we need to be sufficiently stimulated so we can meet the challenges of everyday life. When stress is constant and acute, however, it can have dangerous consequences.

Stress has both physical and emotional effects on us and can create positive or negative feelings. As we adjust to different circumstance, stress will help or hinder us, depending on how we react to it.

Though there is a tendency to think of stress as being caused by external events, events are not in themselves stressful. Rather it is the way that one interprets and reacts to these events.

There are several treatments on the market today that claim to reduce or relieve stress. Taking a natural approach to stress management is most beneficial as it is tailored to an individual and has no side effects.

Visualization Therapy has shown to be an effective tool in stress management. Visualization, or guided imagery as it is sometimes called uses positive images to produce positive emotions that manifest into positive physical sensations in the body.

Visualization Therapy works similarly to stress in the way that it is carried out in the body. Ones psychological or emotional state directly affects the endocrine system. Take for instance the stress response. When you feel fear adrenaline and other stress hormones are produced.

Positive thought is essential to producing positive results. Negative thoughts and emotions lower the immune system, while positive thought and emotions actually boost the immune system. The hypothalamus, the emotional center of the brain, transforms the emotions into a physical response.

The brain is divided into two sides. The left side is responsible for logic and the right for creativity. Everyday events and stressors are usually handled in a logical manner by the left side.   

Today's Stress Cure Fact Stress Tests The major difference between the two is that those suffering from episodic acute stress are not aware of the problem. These are the ones that would most benefit from stress management; yet seem to always be taking on more and more responsibilities and don't recognize it as stress rather just accept it as who they are as if this type of behavior was ingrained in their person. The term type A personality is often used to describe these individuals who constantly appear to be in a state of acute stress. They are often chronic worriers as well. While those who suffer this type of stress may often appear hostile or angry, they are most often anxious and depressed. Symptoms of this type of stress may be persistent headaches, including migraines, chest pain, hypertension and possibly even heart disease. Chronic stress is the most serious, and harmful type of stress. stress effects

Stress Fighting Foods

Visualization aims to use the right, creativity side to help restore balance. The right side of the brain totally accepts what you want to accomplish without giving an opinion and acts upon it without reserve or judgment. To use visualization therapy on your own you are using intention. What you believe is what will be. Your intention should be clear, specific, and achievable and most of all you need to believe and feel that it is being accomplished. 

There is some responsibility that comes with using visualization therapy. You must make a commitment to practice it regularly, remain positive and accountable to and for yourself and you must be persistent and remain patient. In order for visualization therapy to be most effective you should try to be as relaxed as possible.  

Watch your favorite comedy show or film. Laughter can be a great stress reducer. If you can't watch a show, then find some joke websites you can visit to find some jokes that will give you a laugh.

Find a quiet place and relax by sitting or lying down, focus on your breathing until your mind and body is relaxed. Once you are relaxed the next step is to actualize your visualization. You can either think or say your visualization out loud. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in the healing process, watch as the healing in your body takes place and feel it taking place within you.