Article at HuffPost on the usefulness of guided imagery

[Shallah Kali]

New Year's Health Tip: Inoculate Yourself From Panic and Shock

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alison-rose-levy/new-years-health-tip-in_b_78935.html


Entertainment films and TV expose us to images of fiery crashes and violent struggles as villains gruesomely kill, maim, and perish. Say, hey--What do you think happens when we regularly welcome murderous images into our homes and biochemistry on a mass level? Brain scientists have proven that whatever you experience functions as a kind of ongoing neurological/physiological programming. Multiply that programming by millions of viewers. Is it any wonder that school violence erupts or that it's so challenging to end the cycle of international conflict?

snip

If the last seven years have proffered any lessons, first is that we can't naively open ourselves to any and all incoming messages/images, trusting they're for our highest good. Whoever controls the images you imbibe controls you. Make damn sure that it's you.

snip

At Ground Zero, psychologists found that the pre-9/11 prescription, "let's talk about it" didn't help the traumatized brain. The new science of "neuroplasticity" studies the functional relationships between brain regions and the nervous system. Research reveals that repetitively recounting a traumatic incident (or viewing disturbing images on television) actually engraves them into your neurology. A better approach to trauma, stress, and anxiety is to gently lay down new healing images that build resilience and coping. Though some imagery can harm, the right imagery can heal.

Psychotherapist Belleruth Naparstek (author of Invisible Heroes: Trauma Survivors and How They Heal, Bantam Dell) is the Queen of Guided Imagery. Her CDs, studied in over thirty clinical trials and available on her website, healthjourneys.com have been demonstrated to relieve panic and posttraumatic stress symptoms--and also address the garden-variety stress and duress we all have.

Used successfully by early responders at Ground Zero, U.S. combat veterans, and survivors of Oklahoma City, Columbine, and Hurricane Katrina, Naparstek's Healing Trauma (and other audio programs) promote the mind/body's ability to self-regulate, ie. to self-soothe, restore balance, and develop resilience. Prior to combat, the military and other first responders use her Stress Hardiness Optimization CD (or Mp3 download) to build in neurological strengths to cope in war zones and other high-stress environments.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Thank you for this

It explains why I have, for years, watched very little TV and was very selective about it. Same with going to movies. We choose what images become part of us--I would therefore choose the sun rising about the mountains, the sounds of the forest as I walk to work, the sweatlodge songs and the Sufi zkr.

[Silver Gaia]

2. I couldn't agree more with this!

I have LONG said this about the effect of violent imagery on both the individual and the collective mind. Mostly, people just looked at me like I was nuts. I remember first thinking this way back when 'The Exorcist' first came out. I refused to see it (and still have never seen it) because I just did not want those images incorporated into mySELF. And then, all the 'nightmare' and 'jason' films... my kids wanted to see them. I said NO. They thought I was mean and unreasonable at the time, but my grown daughter has recently thanked me for my firm stance on this when she was young. She understands now and is grateful. It's so nice to see this idea in print. Validating somehow. Thanks for posting this.

[lildreamer316]

6. My husband and BF get a kick out of the fact I won't see horror movies with them.

EVER.

I finally saw the first (1980s) Friday the 13th a few months ago..found it cheesy; but still had to look away at the scenes with lots of blood in them.

However, I do watch CSI..but during the 're-creation' scenes I usually cover my eyes. I enjoy the mystery-solving aspect of the show, but not the blood and gore.

I retreat into fantasy novels and lots of feel-good; 'innocent' stuff about once a month; just to kinda refresh my mind. I don't care if it makes me 'naieve' or something. It makes me feel better.

[freeplessinseattle]

9. same here, and I just tell people the images work their way

into my dreams. which is sometimes true, and even more unpleasant than watching at the time.

what is wrong with being sensitive-those who feel nothing when seeing things like that disturb me!

[dolphinsong285]

3. Thank you

Following the link to the actual article, then to the Health Journeys catalog, provides a number of guided imagery resources.

[Shallah Kali]

4. Hi here is a direct link to the audio samples page

http://www.healthjourneys.com/audio_samples.asp

I came across that article as I was looking for guided meditation type relaxation cds as I currently have several issues that are exacerbated by stress. I am very particular when it comes to music along with the person's voice in a program like these so I was very happy to find most of the Health Journeys programs have sound clips even if they took forever to download on dialup. After ordering the ibs cd though amazon along with a book I have been dying to get I kept listing to other clips and ended up ordering the Military Welcome Home Pack directly from them. Even with paying for shipping it ended up cheaper though them as it contains 5 cds: Healthful Sleep, Relieve Stress, Panic Attack, Ease Grief, & Healing Trauma (ptsd). I dithered about spending so much but in the end it is less than most single hypnosis sessions, they have gotten good results with small studies so why not :shrug: Right now even partial relief would be worth it as a family situation has my insides in knots.

[dolphinsong285]

7. Thanks for the info

I know what you mean about the voice and music. I have a few that just don't click.
I noticed the Military Pack in the catalog. Looks like a good selection of Cd's. Hope it does well for you.
Sending the healing energy of Reiki to your higher power to help alleviate your stress and bring you calm as you listen to your new Cd's.:hug: Best wishes.

[Shallah Kali]

8. Thank you for the Reiki

:hug:

My cds shipped already and should be here on the 5th and I didn't do the rush shipping :woohoo: I can't wait to try them and see what happens esp. when I add in my reiki & crystals!

[dolphinsong285]

10. I'm optimistic about these..

In fact, I nearly ordered "Relieve Stress" yesterday, it looks wonderful. I got stumped on whether to order the mp3 or the Cd's. I'd order the mp3, but I'm afraid the technology might stress me out :D
Keep me posted, and I'll do the same. One of the challenges after ordering (for me) is actually using it! Maybe we can encourage one another to keep going.
:pals:

[Shallah Kali]

11. I like having hard copy for back up

so even if I did have a mp3 player I still would have bought CDs.

I admit I am a master procrastinator so that even when i have good tools on hand I might not use them as often as I could. A little stubborn part of me is afraid of changing even as unpleasant staying this way can be. The thought of not being anxious triggers anxiety :crazy: :P

I like your idea of us encouraging one another to use our programs! My target goal is to use one each day for 5 days a week like in the studies. Hopefully the cds will be on time tomorrow so I can dither about which one to try first :P

[dolphinsong285]

13. Ha ha. Change is scary!

Ok. CD'S it is. I'm going to order mine tomorrow. Sounds like a good plan. Feel free to PM me.

[Shallah Kali]

14. PM-ing you now :)

:bounce:

[catzies]

5. I read that this morning too. Here is my recent personal experience w/GI

and LOA (Guided Imagery and Law of Attraction):

In November I auditioned for a game show. It wasn't my first, but one I wanted to excel on, and by excel I mean WIN BIG MONEY.

I had about 3 weeks from after I passed the audition to Tape Day. I did what I usually do, bone up on my trivia. But this time around I added something new to the routine.

As this was not my first game show, I had the advantage of knowing what to expect. I've been on soundstages, have been in the green room, have been backstage, have sized up opponents before. So, for a great portion of every day for 3 weeks I visualized each of these things and what I would do going through the paces on Tape Day. I visualized my witty banter with the host, how I would stand, how I would answer, EVERYTHING. But most of all I VISUALIZED WINNING. I visualized it to the point I could see, smell, feel and taste WINNING. There wa no room for anything else, no other outcome, no other possible scenario. JUST WINNING.

Then when it was 24 hours before, I went through all my mental paces of every step I would take the following day. "Now is when I wake up, now is when I drive to Hollywood, now is when I am in makeup, now is when they call my name, now is when I play the show, NOW IS WHEN I WIN." I was so intently focused that - and I remember this clearly - during my Sunday Brunch with my boyfriend at around 11:30 AM I leaned across the table to him and said "In 24 hours I will have won. I can see it."

This was so effective for me, that during taping, when I was a little behind in the game, I said to myself in my head "I DIDN'T PRACTICE LOSING - I PRACTICED WINNING. NOW GET ON WITH IT!"

And I did. I came from behind, beat my opponents and won the game. I won twelve thousand dollars. At almost the exact time when, 24 hours previously, I said I would.

The shows airs here in the LA market on the Fox network on March 16 at 3 PM.

on edit: I read a different link at HuffPo, this one: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/srinivasan-pillay/the-science-of-visualizat_b_171340.html

[Shallah Kali]

12. Free 7 minute guided meditation from Brain Sync

http://www.brainsync.com/relaxnow.asp

This mp3 has brainwave entrainment like Jeffrey Thompson so it at it's most potent with headphones or ear buds though I feel pretty relaxed just listening to it on the ole pc speakers