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Blog 4- Research and theory

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    Guided imagery has significantly helped me regulate stress and anxiety, my sleep cycles, positive interactions in my social relationships, and my focus levels with every session. Upon my own research, I found an article that states how guided imagery can reduce anxiety state levels in the body in which supports my experience of reduced anxiety  ( Nguyen J, Brymer E.,2018) Similarly to this, I was further able to locate another article that indicates that guided imagery is known to lower stress hormone levels in which also aligns with my observations as I have noticed by being able to control and calm my negative thoughts recently. (Giacobbi, P., 2018). With my experience and my research, this also relates back to what we have talked about in class with Candace Pert in module 3 about the "bodymind". This theory, Pert argues there is one integrated "bodymind" rather than  mind and body and with this, it is understood that spiritual practices impact our emotions a...
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Blog 3- Impact of my experience

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          Practicing guided imagery has had a great impact on my overall well-being. I've noticed after each session that I do, I feel a deep sense of relaxation and calmness that has carried itself over into my daily life. This practice has really improved my ability to manage stress and anxiety which has impacted my social relationships greatly. With this, I find myself much more present and patient with people. With family, I've noticed that I now listen more attentively. So, this has given me more positive interactions with whom I speak with. Emotionally, I feel more balanced and a little less reactive to negative situations. With this in mind, lately I have had a brighter outlook on certain things rather than dwindle in the negative that I find.        Additionally, guided imagery has enhanced my ability to control my thoughts and feelings a lot more than weeks prior. I've seen an improvement in my focus especially while at work. I now t...
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Blog 2- Nature of experience

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      When I practiced guided imagery for the mind-body practice, I find it to be quite unique. To me, it often feels like entering a different state of consciousness rather than my usual waking state.  Almost like a deep state because my mind becomes more focused allowing me to visualize the images vividly. I do feel detachment from everyday thoughts creating peace within. This deep state is very dream-like yet I feel fully present in the moment.         My sense of self becomes more relaxed. I can release myself from physical sensations and really focus on the mental journey and in all honesty, I thought would be scary though, its very pleasant because this has allowed me to not worry and this further created a soothing mental environment where I can focus on the positive images. The feeling of peace gives me mental clarity as well. I find it easy to stick to this practice especially when the instructions are engaging yet, clear. Overall, i...
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Blog 1-What is Guided imagery?

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         For this blog journey, I have chosen the discipline of guided imagery. The reasons I have chosen this practice is to improve my sleep, obtain some emotional healing, enhance my focusing skills and reduce my stress levels as I am a full-time college student. Upon research of mind-body practices, I feel that guided imagery would best fit these personal goals. To define this practice, guided imagery is a mind-body technique that involves your imagination to create mental images that promote relaxation and personal well-being. This discipline can be done with the assistance of a guide or through a self-direction practice. The process is typically involving visuals of a peaceful scenario or scene, utilizing all of your senses to make that scene/scenario as real or vivid as possible. Upon my research, this technique is often used to limit and decrease stress, manage pain and increase overall mental health.          The claims that sur...
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