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How to Practice Visualization and Meditation For Stress Management. Ruth Hutton University of Phoenix Online EDTC 560 Applications of Multimedia and Web Page Design Facilitator: Eli Collins-Brown October 27, 2004. What is Stress?.
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How to PracticeVisualization and MeditationFor Stress Management Ruth Hutton University of Phoenix Online EDTC 560 Applications of Multimedia and Web Page Design Facilitator: Eli Collins-Brown October 27, 2004
What is Stress? “Stress is the inability to cope with a perceived (real or imagined) threat to one’s mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, which results in a series of physiological responses and adaptations.” (Seaward, 2004)
Why Visualization and Meditation? • Relax the body from a state of arousal due to stress, to a state of homeostasis (balance). • Deactivate the body’s sensory system. • Decrease stimuli to the five senses.
“Because the mind-body connection is so strong, relaxation techniques promote not only physical calming but rebound to calm mental processes, creating mental homeostasis.”(Seaward, 2004)
Benefits • Decreases pain. • Decreases heart rate. • Decreases blood pressure. • Increases problem solving, coping ability, and creativity. • Promotes better sleep. • Increases immunity.
Objective To use mental imagery, visualization, and meditation for personal use as a means to create peace in one’s life.
Materials Needed • Option 1 • Soft background music. • Your voice and a good script to read slowly to another person. (For more information, http://www.wholeperson.com) Option 2 • A CD player. • A selection from a relaxation CD of guided mental imagery. Time: About 15-25 minutes dependent on the CD or script.
Instructions • Set lights low (but not off). • Get comfortable (may use pillows or blankets) • Sit in chair with feet on floor • Sit on floor with back against a wall • Lay on floor
Breathing • As you get comfortable, take three slow deep breaths. • Inhale through your nose and exhale from your mouth slowly. • Feel your lungs completely fill with air and then empty.
Thoughts • As the guided imagery is read to you or played on the CD, attempt to still the mind. • Do not fight the thoughts entering your head, rather “delete them as you would delete old email”. • Return your thoughts to your breathing as you listen to the visualization.
How often should I practice this technique? • Daily, at least for five to ten minutes. • Try using different tapes or scripts. • Write your own and record them! (http://www.wholeperson.com)
References Seaward, B. L. (2004). Managing stress: Principles and strategies for health and well-being. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. All information used with permission of Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D., Inspirations Unlimited & Paramount Wellness Institute