Guided Imagery

The mind and body react the same to imagined pictures as they do to real pictures, or images. Guided imagery uses all of your senses to help you imagine enjoyable moments. These may be real memories or they may be images you have seen that you would like to experience.

Is it safe for me?

Guided imagery is beneficial and safe for anyone. There are no restrictions.

Plan for it

All you need is your imagination to practice guided imagery. Many people find it helpful to practice relaxed breathing before starting a guided imagery session.

Practice doing it

You can practice independently or by following recorded instructions that can be found online or on apps on your phone.

To practice on your own, begin by relaxing your breathing. Then imagine a relaxing place — somewhere you’d like to be. Use your five senses to picture every detail about this place. Make it “alive,” or vivid, in your mind.

Ask yourself the following questions

What do you see here?
What do you hear?
What do you smell in the air?
If you’d eat something here, what would you taste?
What do you feel under your feet and in your hands?

After each question, pause to picture the answer using your senses. This relaxation method works best when you are not worried about “getting it right.” Just have fun imagining.