When you wake up in the morning and think about what you have to do that day, you probably picture how these tasks will be done. When you realize that you must shop for groceries today, you inadvertently picture which ones you will need to buy. Lovers use imagery as they anticipate and recall the joys of being together. All of us daydream for entertainment. Guided imagery takes this process one step further by guiding the images toward a specific life-enhancing goal, such as relaxing, healing, promoting personal growth, exploring alternatives, clarifying values, stimulating creativity, or managing stress.
Performers use imagery to heighten concentration.
Managers use imagery as they plan strategies for tackling daily tasks. Diabetics use imagery to lower their blood sugar level. Athletes use imagery to enhance their performance. Cancer patients use imagery to bolster their immune responses. Not Magic n Research is beginning to document the significant power of our mental processes to positively affect our well-being, yet guided imagery is not magic.