The Power of Imagery in Modern Life
Imagine yourself at a beach, watching the waves gently rise and fall. In the distance, you may see seagulls landing in the water. You might smell the ocean, hear the rustling of the sea grass, touch your feet to the grainy sand, or taste the salty air on your lips. What else do you notice here? How does this place make you feel?
Each one of us has the ability to image or “form a mental picture.” This innate power has been used over the course of human life to improve our overall health and well-being. Imagery has the ability to:
Reduce anxiety and stress through calming images
Distract from pain
Provide clarity and a sense of purpose
Stimulate the imagination and creative processes
Connect you with nature or spirituality
Focus the mind
Practice positive outcomes in life scenarios
Relearning how to image
The power of imagination is readily available to us as children, but can become lost in adulthood. The stories of Where the Wild Things Are, Peter Pan, Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, and Winnie-the-Pooh are all great examples of how imagination, and the imagery that comes with it, can be a positive tool. The imaginary world of Winnie-the-Pooh leads Christopher Robin on many great adventures, in which he learns the importance of friendship, gratitude, and being true to yourself.
Imaging can involve sights, sounds, smells, or any other sensations. Another type of sensation includes emotions. Emotional imagery can be intentionally cultivated or arise spontaneously in the moment. For example, you might choose an emotion like ‘joy,’ close your eyes and imagine memories, specific or general, in which you felt that emotion. Or, while you are exploring another imagery, like a beach, a powerful emotion may arise in you. Or, while you listen to a song, you may experience a deep emotional reaction seemingly out of ‘nowhere.’
Many of us image often, living a whole world inside of our heads. Gaining more consciousness of what we imagine can help us guide our emotions, explore our psyche, and uncover truths or epiphanies.
Where to Begin
If the concept of imaging feels new to you, there are many places to start for inspiration. You may put on nature sounds to set a scene. Or you might listen to an audio version of a poem while you close your eyes. You might choose a photograph or painting to inspire imagery. You might even move or take a walk to get the imagination flowing.
Setting aside time and space is the first step. Five minutes is a good starting place but you can even begin with one minute. While timers may be disruptive, they can also be helpful for beginners who may feel nervous. Find a place that will be quiet and comfortable. You can try it seated or lying down. Try the theme “peace,” or anything else you are seeking to cultivate more of in your life. Based on that theme, imagine a place that inspires that feeling in you. If it’s a place in nature, consider using nature sounds in the background. Now close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, imagine the scene and see what happens next!
If this doesn’t appeal to you, you may simply approach your life with a greater appreciation for the many symbols present in it (e.g. exploring why you are so drawn to that dogwood in your yard. What does the symbol of a dogwood represent to you and where else do you find it?) However you access your imagination, get in touch with your senses, and reflect on the symbolism of your images, imagery can be a wonderful tool in improving your health.