TAKE A 10-MINUTE VACATION
A Caring Today Caregiver Stressbusting Idea
BY:MARY ELIZABETH TERZELLA
Can't go on that holiday you really need? Take a 10-minute fantasy vacation instead. Close your eyes and picture yourself in a place that makes you happy, such as basking in the sun on a tropical beach. Focus on the details—the sights, sounds, smells and feelings—to bring the scene alive: See the bright blue sea and sky, listen to the waves crashing, smell the tangy salt water, and feel the sun and soft breeze caressing your skin. Keep visualizing the scene until you relax.
Research has shown that guided imagery-which can be as simple as visualizing a beautiful place—can boost mood and ease stress. In studies conducted at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, patients who listened to guided-imagery tapes showed a 65 percent reduction in pain and anxiety both before and after major surgery.
"When you vividly imagine a situation, your body responds as if you're actually experiencing it," explains James S. Gordon, MD, director of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC.
With the help of a practitioner or audio recording, you can literally imagine your way to relaxation. Or you can try visualizing your own peaceful place. To get ready for a mental vacation: "Sit in a comfortable chair and breathe deeply for a few minutes, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth," advises Dr. Gordon. "Feel yourself connected to the chair and to the ground your feet are resting on." Now imagine that you're on that beautiful beach...