The Beauty Of Visualisation

WHAT IS VISUALISATION?

The Beauty Of Visualisation – Visualisation is a Mental Image you can create, also referred to as a Visual Mental Rehearsal (VMR).

WHY IS VISUALISATION IMPORTANT?

Our mind plays an important role in the creation of our experience, and therefore it may be possible to ‘program’ our mind and body to act in a certain way to gain positive results.

A visualisation can be a very handy tool if used correctly and can help get you through difficult times. The idea of a visualisation is to transport yourself into what you are visualising. You are creating a mental image and using your senses to achieve this.

For success
Athletes are taught to visualise winning and holding the medal, what if feels like to win, the euphoria of collecting your medal, the crowds screaming. What it feels like to touch the medal, what you feel like now you have the medal, the sweet smell of success.

Of course, you need to plan your visualisation, thinking the process through helps to focus the mind on potential problems and how to overcome them. This in turn then helps you to overcome those problems when they arise. This is the beauty of visualisation it can be practised beforehand in preparation.

For addiction problems
Patients are taught to visualise how they will deal with the temptation of alcohol, drugs, comfort eating etc. Then when the temptation comes along they already have a tool in place to help them.

For sleep problems
Visualisations can help to take you to your place where it is peaceful and relaxing. They take you away from trying too hard to get to sleep again a distraction and before you know it you are asleep.

For pain relief
I had a slight twist on this one as I actually try as much as possible to tackle pain relief through music and image creation. On the run up to past operations I listened to and memorised several music tapes and took them and my sony walkman into the hospital (this was long before Itunes). Alongside this, I had created a mental image of me singing on the beach with the sun beating down on me, the smell of the sea and the sand between my toes.

Through the pain I sang along and went to my mental image of me singing on the beach. As I knew all the words this was a huge distraction from the pain as I was trying so hard to remember the words.

For all the above they need to be different visualisations to help overcome different problems, one does not fit all.

So try and figure out what kind of visualisation you need to create, is it for relaxation, to succeed, to prevent temptation, better sleep, pain relief etc.

Visualisations can help to take you to your place where it is peaceful and relaxing or build you up for success.

Design You Own Visualisation

• Think of your favourite place or memory
• Write this down
• Pick an image & colours to go with this, I always find this helps if it is a warm place, though if I think of something cold I feel cold. Have a go & try various ideas.
• Record this on your phone or computer, do not worry how it sounds, this is just reinforcing the visualisation in your mind.
• This needs to become so familiar so you can go there whenever you need to.
• I expect there are even apps to help you now as well.
• Then practice, practice, practice