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What to know about guided imageryMedically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD — By Mary West on April 20, 2022Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that involves dwelling on a positive mental image or scene. It is a tool that psychotherapists use, but a person can also teach it to themselves and use it at any time. This technique is sometimes called visualization, or guided meditation.
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There are many benefits to using guided imagery, such as reducing stress or improving a person’s sense of well-being. People intentionally visualize peaceful scenarios or images. While one person might choose to visualize a pleasant scene, some individuals use other means, such as picturing white blood cells fighting illness and imagining the desired outcome.
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Keep reading to learn more about the benefits and techniques of guided imagery, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to do it. What is guided imagery
Share on PinterestMichela Ravasio/StocksyGuided imagery is a relaxation technique. People who try guided imagery might picture events, scenes, or other things that will cause feelings of relaxation and calm.
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Relaxation techniques are generally safe for healthy people to use. The aim of relaxation techniques, such as guided imagery, is to stimulate the body’s natural relaxation response.
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This response might include the following physiological changes:slower breathinglower blood pressurereduced heart rate
Benefits of guided imagery
A few studies suggest the intervention may have the following benefits:
Relieves pain
Guided imagery can help distract someone from pain. For example, arthritis and other rheumatoid diseases (AORD) typically involve pain and inflammation in the joints.
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Due to the side effects of drug treatment, many people with AORD might try psychosocial strategies, such as guided imagery to ease their pain. Some research suggests that guided imagery is effective in managing pain in people with AORD-related health conditions. Alleviates stress
Guided imagery may help relieve chronic stress, a problem that can have harmful effects on the brain and the body.
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Research looking into the effect of guided imagery on 35 pregnant teenagers, found a reduction in short- or long-term stress. This supports the use of guided imagery for stress management in some people. Another research study examining the effect of guided imagery on 111 teenagers, found that guided imagery delivered in a group format reduces levels of cortisol in saliva and feelings of stress.
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Chronic stress may cause a slight increase in the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. In contrast, the intervention did not decrease levels of a salivary enzyme called amylase, which increases after encountering a stressor. More research is necessary to determine the effect of imagery on stress.
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Reduces anxiety
Spending time in nature can reduce anxiety, but this might not always be accessible for everyone. Being mindful of this, a research study explored the effect of nature-based guided imagery on 48 participants, with moderate levels of anxiety. After comparing nature-based with non-nature-based guided imagery, they found results that both interventions can reduce anxiety.
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However, the nature-based variety was more effective. Helps with quitting smoking
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Research has found that incorporating guided imagery interventions to quitlines would be practical.
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This approach may also reach a wider audience. Quitlines refer to telephone counseling for people that want to stop smoking. Guided imagery for smoking cessation may focus on getting people to cope with their cravings and help them maintain their motivation.
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More research into the value of guided imagery for the purpose of smoking cessation would be helpful. Decreases depression symptoms
Intrusive negative mental images may be an important factor in the onset and continuance of depression. This raises the question of whether positive imagery may help, however, there is limited research suggesting that it might.
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One clinical trial study evaluated the effect of guided imagery on 80 participants undergoing hemodialysis. People on hemodialysis commonly have anxiety and depression. They found that the level of anxiety and depression were lower in people who had received the guided imagery intervention, than the people who had not.
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Improves quality of sleep
As an example, older adults facing surgery frequently experience poor sleep. Research into the effect of guided imagery and relaxation techniques on 90 older adults undergoing abdominal surgery, suggests that guided imagery was effective in improving sleep quality.
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Another research study looking into the effect of a 30–minute guided imagery recording on people in a progressive care unit, found that the intervention did help relieve their insomnia. Guided imagery techniques
The following are examples of guided imagery techniques:imagining a pleasant scene in a peaceful location to soothe anxiety or relieve stressimagining white blood cells fighting illness, such as an infection or cancerimagining a successful performance or outcome, such as in an athletic event or quitting smoking
A counselor or an audiotape can direct a person in these techniques.
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Alternatively, someone’s own thoughts can direct them. Step-by-step guide
A person may follow the steps below to try guided imagery:Sit or lie down in a comfortable place.Close the eyes.Take a few deep breaths so the body can start relaxing.Visualize a peaceful, calm setting, such as, a garden, lake, or somewhere by the sea.Picture the scene and add more details. Explore the scene with all other senses, for example, imagine birds chirping, the scent of flowers, and the warmth of the sun.Linger in the scene for a few minutes while trying to savor the calmness and sense of relaxation.
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A person can choose to stay in the scene for as long as they need to rejuvenate.Open the eyes and stretch gently to reenter the present. People should remember that they can return to the scene whenever.
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Tips for beginners
The following are a few tips to help beginners:Choose a quiet place where there will be no interruptions.Turn off cell phones and TVs.When imagining a scene, try to engage the senses of vision, hearing, smell, and touch.A person may wish to shop around to choose a guided imagery tape to lead them through the process.Do not rush through the process. Summary
Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that people may use to reduce stress and can increase their well-being. It usually involves imagining peaceful scenes, events, or objects.
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Guided imagery should help stimulate the body’s natural relaxation response. There are many benefits to incorporating guided imagery to stressful situations or in general life. Guided imagery can be easy to do.
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It starts with taking a few deep breaths to relax and then follows with the technique of choice. Last medically reviewed on April 20, 2022Body AchesSleep / Sleep Disorders / InsomniaComplementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine 15 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Beizaee, Y., et al. (2018).
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The effect of guided imagery on anxiety, depression and vital signs in patients on hemodialysis [Abstract]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30396619/Centers for disease control. (n.d.).
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Smoking and tobacco use: fast facts. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/index.htmFlynn, T.
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A., et al. (2016). Guided imagery and stress in pregnant adolescents [Abstract].
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https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27548866/Giacobbi, P. R., Jr., et al. (2015).
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Guided imagery for arthritis and other rheumatic diseases: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4605831/Gordon, J.
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S., et al. (2020).
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A telephone-based guided imagery tobacco cessation intervention: results of a randomized feasibility trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7963280/Guided imagery. (n.d.).
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https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/guided-imageryGuided imagery. (2021).
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https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/guided-imagery.aspGuided visualization: Dealing with stress. (2021).
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https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/media/2021/guided-visualization-dealing-with-stressKermani, A. R., et al. (2020).
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Effect of guided imagery along with breathing relaxation on sleep quality of the elderly patients under abdominal surgery: A randomized clinical trial [Abstract]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33060496/National center for complementary and integrative health.
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(n.d.). Relaxation techniques: what you need to know https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/relaxation-techniques-what-you-need-to-knowNguyen, J., et al.
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(2018). Nature-based guided imagery as an intervention for state anxiety.
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6176042/Patricolo, G. E., et al.
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(2017). Beneficial effects of guided imagery or clinical massage on the status of patients in a progressive care unit [Abstract].
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https://aacnjournals.org/ccnonline/article-abstract/37/1/62/3660/Beneficial-Effects-of-Guided-Imagery-or-Clinical?redirectedFrom=fulltextWeigensberg, M. J., et al.
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(2022). Effects of group-delivered stress-reduction guided imagery on salivary cortisol, salivary amylase, and stress mood in urban, predominantly latino adolescents. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC8874194/Weßlau, C.
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et al. (2014).
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Visual mental imagery in psychopathology - Implications for the maintenance and treatment of depression. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735814000506?via%3Dihub#VA healthcare (2013).
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Information from your Patient Aligned Care Team.https://www.mirecc.va.gov/cih-visn2/Documents/Patient_Education_Handouts/Visualization_Guided_Imagery_2013.pdfFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Karin Gepp, PsyD — By Mary West on April 20, 2022
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