Children continue to feel stress at home and at school. Our kids deserve to be equipped with tools to help them cope better. Through learning Guided Imagery and visualization, kids will develop emotional self-care to better meet challenges.
Take Ellie for example. She suffers from Migraines and has headaches that are very painful and hot. She describes them as pressure and pounding on her head. Her headaches went away after she learned to visualize a loving white light to cool down her head while learning to relax her body. Then, there’s Chris who suffers from test anxiety at age 16. But through his imagery of staying calm and focused on exams, he is scoring higher on tests. These are just a few of my young clients who are using the power of their imagination to feel better and thrive.
As for parents, raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted children often feels overwhelming. Parents, educators, and health care providers deserve to know and practice mind-body tools, as well.
With guided imagery, kids will develop better coping skills and for self-care. Research shows children who use guided imagery have better focus and attention—even those children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.) They score higher in school and on tests. Imagery also has been shown in studies to help children heal quicker with less pain from surgery and chronic stomach problems. Guided Imagery and Mindfulness have also been shown to help with stress relief for both kids and adults and to build compassion and kindness.
Parents and children practicing these techniques together bring more powerful results and it can be a great bonding experience. If parents successfully teach their kids effective imagery techniques to solve their problems, their world could be transformed. If teachers could help children access their learning potential, through imagery, education could thrive. That’s why we have developed a breakthrough app for families called Inner Peace Time. Take advantage of our special offer!
Imagine lifting off in a hot air balloon ride to float away your worries and pain. Dipping into a pool of healing waters, or having a magical healing glove that soothes discomfort. These are some of the healing journeys featured in the app–with a menu for kids and teens and a separate menu for parents and adults.
What is Guided Imagery?
Guided imagery is a form of powerful relaxation. It’s a way of using your imagination to create calm, peaceful, positive images in your mind, where it feels like a “mental escape.” This helps create harmony between the mind and body.
Guided imagery enhances coping skills and a greater sense of well-being. Imagery involves all of the senses, as well as emotions. It’s like playing a movie in your mind. It is a way of viewing your ideas, feelings, and experiences in a state of higher awareness. Imagery can stimulate changes in the body such as heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory patterns. It can help you tap your inner power and wiser self to find hope, courage and other qualities that can help you cope with a variety of conditions.
Almost anyone can benefit from this technique of guided imagery with a qualified practitioner. Participants also learn how to create their own images or use recordings.
Benefits of Guided Imagery
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces problems related to stress
- Decreases pain, and promotes healing, even sleep
- Improves feelings of more control of emotions and thought processes
- Enhances attitudes of health and sense of well-being
Studies of Patients Using Guided Imagery Found
- Faster healing and recovery
- Enhanced immune functions
- Less tension and stress
- Reduced depression
- Less fear and powerlessness
- Reduced pain
- Deepened intuitive skills
- Improved self-esteem
- Heightened quality of life
I will discuss some techniques that you may try with your children at home or away to help them with calm.
#1: The Balloon Breath
This is a technique of breathing slowly and deeply into the belly while focusing attention around the navel. We begin filling up deep into our belly. This type of diaphragmatic breathing centers and calms children.
You can breath in slowly…filling up with air…then let it out very slowly… Once more breath in deep, slowly, then let it out. (Do this for at least two minutes.)
One teen, who was frequently upset, was able to calm himself and reduce his stress from an 8 to a 2 by practicing his balloon breath several times a day. He found it made him feel especially peaceful when he focused his attention on his heart. You may feel like you are breathing in and out from your heart. Gratitude is so important to feel when doing this special breathing.
# 2: Relaxing the Body
Progressive relaxation of the body is a gentle way to calm yourself. You begin with a light from above—it can be any color that the children wishes. Then the light pours in from above through the head, face, neck, shoulder, and gradually moving into the legs and arms peacefully, lovingly…with relaxation spreading into each part. Once the children are physically relaxed you can go into a script that will help the child feel loved, be more at peace, change unwanted behaviors and beliefs, and be ready for new discoveries.
WE MAKE IT EASY WITH INNER PEACE TIME. USE THIS SPECIAL OFFER!
Vicki Atlas Israel is a Certified Guided Imagery Practitioner and Meditation Coach. Atlas is passionate about bringing more peace and healing to children and adults. She’s helping high-achieving professionals, parents and children with stress relief and healing to awaken to their best life. Schedule your Inner Power Breakthrough session. You can email her at Vicki@InnerPowerMindset.com.
