Lesson 3: Coping: the psychological aspects
Creative Visualization Exercises
CREATIVE VISUALIZATION EXERCISE - CHOOSE ONE OR BOTH
For either exercise, it in a comfortable place where you can relax and be sure you won't be interrupted. Close your eyes and try to imagine yourself in this situation. Take as long as you like - until you can feel your stress dropping away.
1. I am walking along a long sandy beach with the sun shining warmly me down on me and the breeze blowing in my hair. The sky is a lovely blue with a few fluffy clouds hanging overhead with seagulls flying above calling out to each other. Taking a deep breath I can smell the salt water and the deep breathing helps relax me also. Each step I take makes footprints in the sand and then the waves come in washing over my feet and my footprints disappear and I let the waves take away some of my pain and stress.
2. I am flying a kite and the more I let it out the more worries, stress and troubles I let out with each foot or so. The higher the kite gets, the lighter I feel.
NOTE: These are just sample exercises, this one created by Marilynn Kelly. You can add anything your dreams or visualizations that makes you feel comfortable and relaxed. The idea is to simply turn your problems and worries into visual symbols and then imagine them slowly being let out
