Health Library Guided ImageryFrom Healthwise

What is guided imagery?

Guided imagery is a program of directed thoughts and suggestions that guide your imagination toward a relaxed, focused state. You can use an instructor, tapes, or scripts to help you through this process.

Guided imagery is based on the concept that your body and mind are connected. Using all of your senses, your body seems to respond as though what you are imagining is real. An example often used is to imagine an orange or a lemon in great detail—the smell, the color, the texture of the peel. Continue to imagine the smell of the lemon, and then see yourself taking a bite of the lemon and feel the juice squirting into your mouth. Many people salivate when they do this. This exercise demonstrates how your body can respond to what you are imagining.

You can achieve a relaxed state when you imagine all the details of a safe, comfortable place, such as a beach or a garden. This relaxed state may aid healing, learning, creativity, and performance. It may help you feel more in control of your emotions and thought processes, which may improve your attitudes, health, and sense of well-being.

What is guided imagery used for?

Guided imagery has many uses. You can use it to promote relaxation, which can lower blood pressure and reduce other problems related to stress. You can also use it to help reach goals (such as losing weight or quitting smoking), manage pain, and promote healing. Using guided imagery can even help you to prepare for an athletic event or for public speaking.

Is guided imagery safe?

Guided imagery is safe—no known risks are associated with it. Guided imagery is most effective when the person teaching it has training in guided imagery techniques.

Always tell your doctor if you are using an alternative therapy or if you are thinking about combining an alternative therapy with your conventional medical treatment. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on an alternative therapy.

• Cancer Pain
• Chronic Pain
• Complementary Medicine
• Stress Management

Other Works Consulted

• Davis M, et al. (2000). The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook, 5th ed., pp. 51–59. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger.

• Imagery (2004). In L Freeman, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2nd ed., pp. 275–304. St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby.

• Payne R (2005). Imagery. In Relaxation Techniques: A Practical Handbook for the Health Care Professional, 3rd ed., pp. 149–159. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

• Rossman ML (2007). In MS Micozzi, ed., Complementary and Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care and Prevention, pp. 65–79. New York: Springer.

Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS	Last Updated: June 27, 2007
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Marc S. Micozzi, MD, PhD - Policy Institute for Integrative Medicine
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