Alternative Therapies – Visualisation

Visualisation consists in the patient using his/her imagination to relieve stress and promote the ability of the body to self-heal. It can be done either alone or with help from a practitioner of this technique. The idea here is to visualize the desired results. For example, if someone is sick and wants to get well, then he/she will visualize him/herself completely healthy. If it is a personality problem, then the person will visualize him/herself the way they wish to be. Cancer patients will visualize the destruction of cancer cells, and so on.

How does visualisation work?

The idea is that the subconscious mind will activate the body’s ability to self-heal. It brings positive changes in mood, attitudes, and perceptions.

When is visualisation used?

To relieve pain, treat mental health problems such as phobias, and relieve stress and anxiety.

Exercise:

1. Get in a comfortable position, with comfortable clothes and without shoes. Position yourself either lying or sitting.

2. Close your eyes and begin to feel the weight of your body. Pay attention to your breathing rate and try to breathe deeply and slowly.

3. Contract and relax the feet muscles. Repeat with all the muscles of the body until you reach the face.

4. Focus on breathing again.

5. When you are relaxed imagine what you want to defeat. If it is a disease, imagine yourself treating this disease with healing powers. If you want to succeed in any aspect, imagine your goal and then imagine yourself totally in control. If you are stressed, imagine a beautiful and tranquil landscape. Repeat to yourself "I am relaxed and I feel good."